Why EFCC, ICPC Must Probe IMF’s Claim Of Nigeria Spending N8.8trn Off-budget – Atiku

Former Vice President and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has called for a thorough investigation into the reported omission of public expenditure equivalent to two per cent of Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from recent national budgets.

Atiku, in a statement issued  yesterday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, described the development as a constitutional and moral issue that requires urgent clarification from the government.

The former Vice President said the reported findings, coming amid the controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), have heightened concerns over transparency and accountability in the management of public finances.

According to him, the constitution provides clear procedures for public spending and budget implementation, insisting that any expenditure outside approved appropriations must be adequately explained.

“If, as has been reported, expenditure amounting to two per cent of Nigeria’s GDP was omitted from the budget process, Nigerians deserve to know how such funds were authorised, expended and accounted for,” he stated.

Atiku argued that the matter extends beyond accounting procedures and touches on the integrity of public institutions and constitutional governance.

He also urged relevant oversight bodies, including the National Assembly, the Auditor-General of the Federation, and anti-corruption agencies, to investigate the claims and make their findings public.

The former Vice President further linked the issue to the ongoing debate surrounding the PFIPC, maintaining that the alleged recognition and funding of a body whose official status has been disputed raise broader questions about institutional accountability.

“The evidence of this institutional corruption is already staring Nigerians in the face. While the Federal Ministry of Health reportedly received only N36 million in releases for critical health interventions despite a budgetary appropriation of over N218 billion, the so-called Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, a fictitious agency the Presidency now claims never existed, was reportedly allocated about N1.3 billion.

Nothing better illustrates the warped priorities of this administration than a government that starves hospitals and healthcare programmes of funds while ghost agencies somehow find billions waiting for them.

This is not fiscal management; it is institutionalised corruption,” the statement read.

He called on the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to provide explanations regarding the processes through which government institutions allegedly engaged with the organisation.

Atiku additionally referenced allegations made by Prince Adeniyi Adeyemi concerning an alleged demand for a percentage of a proposed take-off grant, describing the claims as serious and deserving of an independent investigation.

“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 Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), as well as other appropriate security agencies for prosecution. Nigerians deserve the truth, not official denials,” he said.

The former Vice President lamented the economic hardship facing Nigerians, including rising inflation, higher electricity tariffs and increased living costs, arguing that transparency in the management of public resources is essential to rebuilding public confidence.

He stressed that the issue transcends partisan politics and concerns the principles of accountability, constitutional order and responsible governance.

“The books must be opened. Every naira must be traced. Every expenditure must be justified. Every official found culpable must be held accountable,” Atiku stated.