The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) has sharply criticised President Bola Tinubu’s upcoming presentation of the ₦54.4 trillion 2026 Appropriation Bill, describing it as a continuation of “budgetary opacity” in the face of withheld 2025 implementation reports and unaccounted expenditures.

In a statement signed by National Secretary High Chief Peter Ameh, CUPP accused the administration of eroding prior gains in fiscal discipline through lack of transparency, overlapping budget cycles, and unchecked borrowing now exceeding ₦150 trillion, with debt servicing crowding out productive investments. The coalition noted that for the first time in 15 years, quarterly performance reports for 2025 have been withheld, a violation of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, and argued that new proposals risk becoming a “ritual of unfulfilled promises.”

CUPP further highlighted the imbalance between recurrent and capital spending, pointing out that salaries and overheads have been nearly 100 percent implemented while capital projects such as roads, hospitals, and power infrastructure remain stalled due to delays, corruption, and revenue shortfalls. The group also criticised the handling of subsidy savings following the 2023 removal, alleging wasteful spending on “energy security” and pipeline protection instead of channeling funds into development.

The coalition condemned the rollover of 2024 capital projects into 2025, saying it has exacerbated chaos, left projects unexecuted, and perpetuated reliance on more debt. CUPP demanded full disclosure of 2025 budget performance, independent audits of major expenditures, and concrete transparency measures before the rollout of the 2026 budget. Ameh stressed that “nations thrive on truth, competence, integrity—not opaque finances and unrealistic projections.”

The intervention intensifies scrutiny as Tinubu prepares to present the budget on Friday (today), with growing calls for accountability in reforms such as subsidy removal and tax changes.