Peter Obi Accuses Tinubu of N8.83 Trillion Unbudgeted Spend in 2025 Budget
On Sunday, July 4, 2026, Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress, accused President Bola Tinubu's administration of presiding over 'grand corruption' after an International Monetary Fund consultation report revealed N8.83 trillion in expenditures during 2025 that were not reflected in the federal budget. Obi said the unbudgeted sum equals about two percent of Nigeria's GDP, exceeds 35 percent of the 2025 capital budget of N23.96 trillion, and surpasses the combined allocations for education ("N3.52 trillion") and health ("N2.38 trillion"). He argued that if the funds were properly accounted for and used, they could transform public health and education systems and create hundreds of cottage industries to employ thousands of graduates. Obi warned that the pattern of disregarding public-finance rules threatens national security, deepens poverty and weakens state institutions, and reiterated his call for Tinubu to resign over incompetence, lack of compassion and broken campaign promises. The IMF report, which Obi cited, urges the government to disclose who authorized the undisclosed spending. The allegation adds to growing opposition criticism of the APC-led administration's economic management. Will you demand transparency and accountability from your leaders, or accept the status quo?