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…cites poor releases for defence, health capital projects
….challenges Presidency to disclose spending on political publicity
…as Obi’s camp accuses Wike, Keyamo of using public funds for partisan confrontations
The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of prioritising campaign propaganda and political patronage over funding critical sectors of the economy, alleging that poor budgetary releases for security, healthcare and infrastructure reflect misplaced spending priorities.
It said the huge expenditure on political advertisements, donations and distribution of items by groups claiming to support the President could explain the failure of the Federal Government to adequately fund the 2024 and 2025 budgets, as well as the state of the 2026 budget.
NDC’s national campaign spokesperson, Dr. Chiogo Ikokwu, who made the allegation in a statement on Sunday, cited the reported release of only about seven per cent of the defence capital budget in 2025, despite the security challenges confronting the country.
She also recalled that the Minister of Health reportedly disclosed that only N36 million out of the N218 billion allocated to health capital expenditure was released in the same year.
Ikokwu said the figures raised questions about the administration’s spending priorities, particularly against the backdrop of revenue accruing from the removal of fuel subsidy and increased taxation.
She further said the party had taken note of what she described as a barrage of political advertisements and the distribution of gifts, donations, vehicles, laptops, sewing machines, food items and other forms of largesse by various groups and individuals claiming to be acting in support of Tinubu’s mandate.
According to her, Nigerians are entitled to question how an administration with increased revenue from subsidy removal and taxation could plead paucity of funds when it comes to financing critical sectors, while political publicity and patronage appear to attract substantial resources.
“How can a government with money from fuel subsidy removal, high taxation, one week, new loan requests, plead paucity of funds when it comes to national security, healthcare, education, federal roads and the welfare of ordinary Nigerians?” she asked.
The NDC presidential campaign spokesperson also alleged that several state governments, particularly those that recently joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), had scant records of budget implementation but had sufficient resources for campaign propaganda.
“Most worrisome is that most State Governments especially those coerced into APC have scant records of budget funding like their master, but have surplus for campaign propaganda,” she said.
She linked what she described as poor governance, decaying infrastructure and misplaced priorities to the increasing cases of political intimidation and violence, alleging that such developments were aimed at discouraging voters from participating in the January 2027 elections.
The party, however, warned that political publicity, patronage and intimidation could not conceal the consequences of poor governance.
“The NDC warns that no amount of propaganda, political patronage or intimidation can permanently conceal the consequences of poor governance,” Ikokwu said.
It said an administration led by its presidential candidate, Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Kwankwaso, would prioritise accountability, public service delivery and a transition from consumption to production.
The NDC consequently challenged the Tinubu administration to publish verifiable figures showing the amounts released for critical capital projects and administrative subventions in 2024, 2025 and 2026, compared with expenditure on political publicity and patronage.
Meanwhile, the Peter Obi Media Office has criticised Ministers of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, accusing them of using their public offices for partisan political confrontations.
In a separate statement issued on Sunday and signed by Idris Zekeri Jnr., the media office described the ministers as engaging in conduct that could undermine public confidence in government institutions.
It said the ministers appeared to be exploiting their official positions for political confrontation, warning that public institutions should not be treated as extensions of politicians’ personal organisations.
“A government minister is not a political warlord. Public office is neither a private arsenal nor are Nigeria’s state institutions extensions of any politician’s personal political organisation,” the statement said.
The media office also faulted what it described as attempts to portray partisan political activities as patriotism, insisting that loyalty to a political establishment should not be equated with commitment to the country.
It said patriotism should be demonstrated through service, integrity, respect for the rule of law and commitment to the welfare of citizens, rather than attacks on political opponents.
The office further argued that, at a time Nigerians were grappling with poverty, insecurity, unemployment and the rising cost of living, senior government officials should concentrate on their responsibilities rather than political disputes.
“Wike and Keyamo must understand that public office is temporary, whereas the effects of its abuse can endure for years. They owe Nigerians accountability, restraint and respect for democratic institutions,” it stated.
It added that Nigeria needed public servants and nation-builders rather than political combatants and enforcers.
