Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has launched a strong criticism of the administration of Bola Tinubu, accusing it of corruption, incompetence, misplaced priorities, and a lack of sincerity in addressing Nigeria’s worsening security challenges.
Atiku’s remarks came in response to reports indicating that only about seven per cent of the 2025 national budget allocated for security equipment has been disbursed. He described the development as deeply troubling and reflective of what he called systemic failures within the current government.
In a statement reacting to the report, the former vice president said the low level of disbursement amounts to “lip service” in tackling the country’s security crisis, arguing that such a figure is grossly inadequate given the scale of threats facing the nation.
Describing the situation as an indictment on the Tinubu-led administration, Atiku said the reported seven per cent release of funds for military equipment underscores deeper issues of corruption and inefficiency in governance.
“A poorly equipped army can neither protect itself, nor the country it is supposed to serve,” Atiku said. “Lack of adequate funding compromises the security of our military forces and the country at large.”
He further argued that delays and shortfalls in funding are not merely administrative lapses but are rooted in broader governance challenges. According to him, “incompetence and corruption that cause a lack of proper and timely disbursement of funds are the main enemies hindering the efforts to address security challenges.”
Nigeria has faced persistent security threats in recent years, including insurgency in the North-East, banditry in the North-West, and other forms of violent crime across different regions. Atiku stressed that addressing these challenges requires not only policy commitments but also the timely release and effective utilisation of resources.
The former vice president also linked the issue of inadequate funding to recent high-profile casualties within the military, warning that failure to properly equip security forces could have dire consequences on the battlefield.
“No nation can separate the recent high-profile deaths of military commanders from the corruption, incompetence and lack of sincerity rocking the top echelons of government,” he said.
Atiku emphasised that Nigeria’s security situation demands urgency, discipline, and accountability in the management of public funds. He called on the federal government to prioritise national security above political considerations and ensure that allocated resources are fully and promptly deployed.
He also criticised what he described as the administration’s focus on political positioning ahead of the 2027 general elections, suggesting that governance is being overshadowed by electoral calculations.
“Non-implementation of budgetary allocations has severe consequences for national security, but the government is behaving with cavalier indifference because it’s more obsessed with the 2027 elections than the security of the country,” Atiku stated.
According to him, no country facing serious security threats can afford to release such a small fraction of its budget for critical military equipment while expecting effective results from its armed forces.
“No country can afford to disburse just 7 per cent for equipment purchase and expect its military to perform any magic,” he added.
The former vice president further accused the government of relying on propaganda rather than measurable achievements, arguing that public communication should be backed by tangible outcomes rather than rhetoric.
He questioned the administration’s readiness to seek re-election based on its current performance, asking what credible achievements it would present to Nigerians in the next electoral cycle.
“What will be Tinubu’s credible campaign issue in 2027?” he asked.
Atiku’s comments are likely to intensify political debate over governance and security in Nigeria, particularly as the country moves closer to another election cycle. His remarks also highlight ongoing concerns among opposition figures regarding transparency, accountability, and the effective use of public funds.
As of the time of this report, there has been no official response from the presidency addressing Atiku’s claims. However, the administration has previously maintained that it is committed to strengthening national security and supporting the armed forces through policy reforms and budgetary allocations.
Analysts note that the issue of security funding remains a critical area of public interest, with many Nigerians closely watching how government resources are deployed to address threats across the country.
With political tensions rising and security challenges persisting, calls for greater accountability and improved governance are expected to remain central to national discourse in the months ahead.
