The opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu’s newly presented 2026 budget, rebranding its official theme of “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity” as a “Budget of Consolidated Renewed Sufferings”.
In a statement issued on Friday by PDP National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Ini Ememobong, the party accused the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led administration of perpetuating unmitigated hardship for ordinary Nigerians while the governing elite enjoy affluence.
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President Tinubu presented the ₦58.47 trillion appropriation bill to a joint session of the National Assembly earlier the same day, highlighting a 3.98% GDP growth in the third quarter of 2025 as evidence of economic stabilisation.
He emphasised efforts to translate growth into jobs, rising incomes and improved living standards.
However, the PDP dismissed these claims, arguing that economic growth does not automatically improve citizens’ welfare.
Citing the World Bank’s 2025 Poverty & Equity Brief, the party noted that over 30.9% of Nigerians still live below the international extreme poverty line, underscoring “growth without prosperity”.
The opposition contrasted the current 3.98% growth rate with the 6.87% recorded in the corresponding period of 2013 under the previous PDP administration, which it said was driven by non-oil sectors like agriculture and trade.
Today, Nigerians face “excruciating hunger” and a high cost of living despite the figures, the statement added.
On security, the PDP acknowledged allocations in the budget but demanded transparent execution, including modern equipment, ammunition, intelligence and better welfare for personnel, amid reports of non-state actors possessing superior arms.
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The party expressed deep concern over the President’s admission that the 2024 capital budget execution has been extended to December 2025, alongside the ongoing 2025 budget. This, it said, confirms rumours of concurrent multiple budgets, undermining fiscal discipline, transparency and accountability.
Calling for greater financial oversight, the PDP stressed that transparency and accountability are essential for rebuilding public trust in the administration.
