The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has launched a scathing attack on the 2026 Appropriation Bill presented by President Bola Tinubu, branding it a blueprint for deepened economic misery for the average Nigerian.
Budget of Pain Versus Prosperity
On Friday, December 19, 2025, President Bola Tinubu presented a ₦58.18 trillion budget to the National Assembly, naming it the "Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity." He told lawmakers the fiscal plan aimed to solidify macroeconomic gains and convert stability into widespread prosperity.
However, the main opposition party has vehemently rejected this characterisation. In a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the PDP described the budget as a "Budget of Consolidated Renewed Sufferings." The party argued that the administration has consistently failed to translate its policies into tangible relief for citizens grappling with poverty, skyrocketing living costs, and pervasive insecurity.
Questioning the Narrative of Growth
The PDP specifically challenged President Tinubu's reference to a 3.98% GDP growth rate as a sign of economic stabilisation. The party countered that such figures are meaningless to millions of Nigerians who see no improvement in their daily lives.
Citing the 2025 World Bank Poverty & Equity Brief, the PDP highlighted that over 30.9% of Nigerians live below the international extreme poverty line. This scenario, the party stated, represents "growth without prosperity," where economic gains are concentrated within the governing class. The opposition further contrasted the current growth rate with the 6.87% recorded in 2013 under a PDP administration, which was driven by productive non-oil sectors.
Concerns Over Security and Fiscal Discipline
While acknowledging provisions for national security in the budget, the PDP insisted that mere allocation is insufficient. The party demanded effective and transparent execution to ensure funding leads to modern equipment, better intelligence, and improved welfare for security personnel on the frontlines.
The PDP also raised a major red flag regarding fiscal management. The party expressed alarm at President Tinubu's admission that the execution of the 2024 capital budget was extended to December 2025, while the 2025 budget is still operational. This, the PDP argued, confirms rumours of multiple budgets running concurrently, a practice it condemned as undermining fiscal discipline, transparency, and accountability.
In conclusion, the PDP called for greater transparency and accountability in managing the nation's finances. The party maintained that without genuine and effective reforms, the 2026 budget would remain a symbol of "renewed sufferings" for the masses, rather than a vehicle for the shared prosperity promised by the President.
