By Onyeanya Immaculata
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday condemned President Bola Tinubu’s ₦58.18 trillion 2026 budget, describing it as a “Budget of Consolidated Renewed Suffering” that deepens economic hardship for Nigerians while favouring the ruling elite.
In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Ini Ememobong, the PDP said the budget failed to address rising poverty, high living costs and worsening insecurity, despite government claims of economic recovery.
President Tinubu had presented the 2026 Appropriation Bill to a joint session of the National Assembly, tagging it the “Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience and Shared Prosperity,” and citing improving macroeconomic indicators, including 3.98 per cent GDP growth.
The PDP dismissed the figures, noting that more than 30.9 per cent of Nigerians live below the international extreme poverty line, according to the 2025 World Bank Poverty & Equity Brief.
It compared the current growth rate with the 6.87 per cent recorded in 2013 under a PDP administration, arguing that previous growth was more inclusive and driven by non-oil sectors.
While welcoming the ₦5.41 trillion security allocation, the opposition urged transparent implementation, improved intelligence, modern equipment and better welfare for security personnel.
The party also criticised the extension of the 2024 capital budget into December 2025 while the 2025 budget remains active, describing the practice as a breach of fiscal discipline.
The PDP called for greater transparency and accountability in public finance management, insisting that the Tinubu administration has failed to deliver meaningful relief to Nigerians.
