Atiku challenges FG over IMF report on omitted public spending, demands probe

Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has called on the Federal Government to explain alleged public expenditure omitted from Nigeria’s recent budgets, following concerns raised by the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

 

In a statement issued on Saturday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku described the IMF’s disclosure that public spending equivalent to two per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) was not captured in recent budget documents as a serious matter requiring urgent investigation.

 

“If, as the IMF has revealed, expenditure amounting to two per cent of Nigeria’s GDP was omitted from the budget process, then Nigerians are entitled to one simple question: Who stole the missing two per cent of our GDP?” he said.

 

According to Atiku, the issue goes beyond an accounting error and raises constitutional, legal and accountability concerns.

 

He argued that public funds could not disappear without authorisation, insisting that those responsible for approving and spending such funds should be identified.

 

The former vice president also linked the IMF’s observations to the ongoing controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), which the Presidency has denied establishing, saying both developments point to wider concerns about public financial management.

 

Atiku further questioned reports that the Federal Ministry of Health allegedly received only ₦36 million out of a budget allocation exceeding ₦218 billion, while the controversial agency reportedly had ₦1.3 billion provided for it in the 2026 budget.

 

He called on the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, to explain how the alleged agency obtained official recognition within government processes.

 

The ADC leader also urged an independent investigation into allegations made by Adeniyi Adeyemi, who claimed the dispute surrounding the agency began after he allegedly refused a request for a 48 per cent kickback linked to a proposed ₦27.3 billion take-off grant.

 

“If the allegations are false, let the government prove them through an open investigation. If they are true, then every official connected with this scandal, regardless of rank or office, must be removed immediately and handed over to the appropriate security agencies for prosecution,” Atiku said.

 

He urged the National Assembly, the Auditor-General of the Federation, the Public Accounts Committees, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the matter.

 

The IMF recently called for stronger fiscal transparency and improved public financial management after noting that government expenditure equivalent to about two per cent of GDP was not reflected in Nigeria’s budget framework. The Fund recommended tighter budget reporting and enhanced accountability in public finance management.