2026 Budget: Timi Frank Alleges Tinubu’s Government Now ‘Synonymous With Fraud’

Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of deepening corruption and financial mismanagement, saying the controversy surrounding the proposed 2026 Federal Budget has reinforced public concerns over transparency and accountability.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Frank alleged that reports of inflated budgetary allocations, fictitious projects and questionable expenditures had further damaged the administration’s credibility, claiming the government had become “synonymous with fraud and corruption.”

According to him, the recurring controversies over public spending have continued to erode citizens’ confidence in the administration and raised fresh questions about the stewardship of public resources.

“The recent revelations and controversy surrounding the 2026 Federal Budget have further reinforced the widespread perception that this administration represents one of the most troubling governments in Nigeria’s recent history,” Frank said.

He added, “Allegations of inflated budgetary allocations, fictitious projects and questionable expenditures have once again raised serious concerns about transparency, accountability and the stewardship of public resources.”

Frank further alleged that the Tinubu administration had become associated with repeated claims of financial misconduct and poor governance.

“These developments appear to reinforce a pattern in which your administration has become associated with allegations of financial misconduct and questionable governance. The recurring controversies surrounding government expenditures have continued to erode public confidence in your leadership and in the integrity of those serving within your administration,” he stated.

The political activist also accused the administration of failing to enforce accountability by allegedly protecting public officials accused of corruption.

“Rather than strengthening oversight and punishing wrongdoing, your administration is perceived as shielding individuals accused of corruption, thereby creating an environment where public officials believe they can misuse public funds without consequence,” he said.

Frank also criticised the leadership of the 10th National Assembly, alleging that it had failed to discharge its constitutional oversight responsibility over the Executive.

He specifically faulted the leadership of Senate President Godswill Akpabio, arguing that the legislature was increasingly being viewed as too accommodating to the Executive.

“Rather than serving as an independent institution responsible for holding the Executive accountable, the National Assembly is widely viewed as having abandoned its constitutional responsibility by acting in a manner that appears overly accommodating to the Executive. Such perceptions weaken democratic institutions and undermine the principles upon which constitutional governance is founded,” he said.

Frank urged the international community to exercise caution in extending loans, grants and other forms of financial assistance to Nigeria, alleging concerns over the management of public funds.

He welcomed ongoing discussions in the United States Congress on reviewing assistance to Nigeria, calling on development partners to ensure that any future financial support is accompanied by stricter transparency, accountability and monitoring mechanisms.

“I welcome recent discussions within the United States Congress regarding a review of assistance to Nigeria and urge other international partners to ensure that any future financial support is accompanied by strict transparency, accountability and monitoring measures that guarantee the resources directly benefit the Nigerian people,” he stated.

Frank also drew a comparison between internet fraudsters, commonly referred to as “Yahoo Boys,” and the current administration, alleging that while the former target foreign victims through online scams, the government had failed to safeguard Nigeria’s public resources.

He, however, urged Nigerians to remain peaceful while demanding greater accountability from those in government.

“The future of our nation depends on citizens demanding accountability, defending democratic institutions and exercising their constitutional right to vote for leaders they believe will restore integrity, competence and genuine public service to government,” Frank said.

The Presidency has yet to respond to the allegations contained in Frank’s statement.