By Zainab Bakare
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called for a transparent and independent investigation into alleged irregularities in the implementation of the 2026 federal budget, accusing President Bola Tinubu of failing to prevent what he described as a misuse of public funds.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his media aide, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku questions reports that billions of naira appropriated to the National Commission for Almajiri and Out-of-School Children Education were allocated to road projects outside the agency’s statutory mandate.
He argues that funds intended to address Nigeria’s out-of-school children crisis should not be diverted to unrelated infrastructure projects, describing the reported allocation as a serious breach of public trust.
The former vice president also links the allegations to the controversy surrounding the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), urging authorities to launch a full, transparent and independent investigation into both matters.
Atiku challenges President Tinubu to clarify whether the alleged budget alterations were authorised by his administration or carried out without the knowledge of the Presidency. He further called on the National Assembly to explain how the reported appropriations passed through the legislative approval process.
Meanwhile, the Presidency has rejected allegations relating to the PFIPC, insisting that the body is fictitious. It also described its self-acclaimed Director-General, Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi, as an impostor who allegedly forged official appointment documents.
The latest exchange adds to growing political scrutiny over the implementation of the 2026 budget and is expected to fuel fresh calls for greater transparency and accountability in the management of public finances.
