Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has accused the Tinubu administration of failing to release appropriated security funds, alleging that the situation has contributed to the deaths of more than 17,000 Nigerians since the current administration assumed office. His comments followed recent remarks by Senator Mohammed Tahir Monguno of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), who questioned the implementation of security-related budget allocations.
In a statement issued through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that the senator’s intervention reinforced long-standing opposition concerns about budget implementation, fiscal transparency and the financing of security operations. He claimed that delays or failures in releasing funds meant for security agencies have undermined efforts to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
According to Atiku, independent conflict monitors estimate that more than 17,000 Nigerians have been killed in violent attacks over the past three years, while thousands of others have been abducted or displaced. He maintained that if funds approved by the National Assembly for security operations are not released as required, the government must account for the consequences of weakened operational capacity.
The former vice president also criticised what he described as the administration’s handling of the country’s security crisis, arguing that Nigerians need effective protection rather than political rhetoric. He called for greater transparency in public finance, timely release of appropriated funds and stronger oversight to ensure that resources allocated for national security are used for their intended purposes.
Atiku further pledged that, if elected, an ADC-led administration would prioritise intelligence-led policing, modern surveillance technology, improved border security, better coordination among security agencies and prompt release of security funds approved by law.
The Presidency had not publicly responded to Atiku’s latest allegations at the time of the report. The claims add to the growing political debate over Nigeria’s worsening security situation, budget implementation and the management of public resources ahead of the 2027 general elections.
