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Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has said the allegations of budget padding, fictitious projects and questionable expenditures in the proposed 2026 Federal Budget expose what he described as a failure of governance under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
Frank, in a statement issued on Wednesday, said the controversies surrounding the budget had reinforced public concerns over transparency, accountability and the management of public resources, warning that repeated allegations of financial misconduct were eroding Nigerians’ confidence in government.
According to him, the administration has become associated with persistent claims of financial impropriety and weak governance, rather than strengthening mechanisms for accountability.
“The recent revelations and controversy surrounding the 2026 Federal Budget have further reinforced the widespread perception that this administration represents one of the most troubling governments in Nigeria’s recent history,” Frank said.
“Allegations of inflated budgetary allocations, fictitious projects and questionable expenditures have once again raised serious concerns about transparency, accountability and the stewardship of public resources.”
He further alleged that the recurring controversies over government spending had continued to diminish public trust in those occupying public office.
“These developments appear to reinforce a pattern in which your administration has become associated with allegations of financial misconduct and questionable governance.
“The recurring controversies surrounding government expenditures have continued to erode public confidence in the leadership and in the integrity of those serving within the administration,” he added.
Frank also accused the Federal Government of failing to ensure accountability by allegedly protecting public officials accused of corruption instead of bringing them to justice.
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“Rather than strengthening oversight and punishing wrongdoing, the administration is perceived as shielding individuals accused of corruption, thereby creating an environment where public officials believe they can misuse public funds without consequence,” he stated.
The political activist further criticised the 10th National Assembly, accusing it of abandoning its constitutional oversight role and failing to act independently of the Executive.
He specifically faulted the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, claiming the legislature had become overly accommodating to the Executive instead of serving as an effective check on government.
“Rather than serving as an independent institution responsible for holding the Executive accountable, the National Assembly is widely viewed as having abandoned its constitutional responsibility by acting in a manner that appears overtly accommodating to the Executive. Such perceptions weaken democratic institutions and undermine the principles upon which constitutional governance is founded,” he said.
Frank also urged the international community to exercise caution in extending additional loans, grants and development assistance to Nigeria, citing growing concerns over the management of public funds.
He welcomed ongoing discussions in the United States Congress on reviewing assistance to Nigeria and called on development partners to ensure that future financial support is subject to stricter transparency, accountability and monitoring measures.
“I welcome recent discussions within the United States Congress regarding a review of assistance to Nigeria and urge other international partners to ensure that any future financial support is accompanied by strict transparency, accountability and monitoring measures that guarantee the resources directly benefit the Nigerian people,” he said.
Frank, who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, also urged Nigerians to remain peaceful while demanding accountability from those in government.
“The future of our nation depends on citizens demanding accountability, defending democratic institutions and exercising their constitutional right to vote for leaders they believe will restore integrity, competence and genuine public service to government,” he said.
