CUPP Criticizes Tinubu’s ₦47.9tn Budget as Unrealistic and Lacking Development Prospects

The Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) have criticized President Bola Tinubu’s proposed 2025 budget of ₦47.9 trillion, raising concerns about its feasibility and effectiveness in tackling Nigeria’s economic issues.

Tinubu presented the budget to a joint session of the National Assembly on Wednesday, highlighting its focus on economic recovery and development. However, opposition parties expressed skepticism.

Peter Ahmeh, CUPP National Secretary, pointed to past instances of budget duplication and mismanagement, noting that previous budgets under the APC-led government failed to bring meaningful growth. He argued that while the budget size increases every year, poverty and mismanagement also rise, with worsening infrastructure and escalating government expenses. Without proper review and implementation, he suggested the budget would fail to deliver significant development.

Ladipo Johnson, NNPP’s National Publicity Secretary, criticized the budget’s optimistic inflation and exchange rate targets. He pointed out that inflation in November 2024 was 34.6%, yet the budget aims for a target of 15%, a goal that seems unlikely without clear strategies. Johnson also questioned the forecasted exchange rate decline from ₦1,650 to ₦1,500 per dollar and raised concerns about oil theft undermining production projections.

Timothy Osadolor, PDP’s Deputy National Youth Leader, expressed frustration with the budget’s reliance on borrowing, accusing the administration of avoiding solutions to Nigeria’s core economic problems. He criticized the government’s approach as filled with empty promises and unrealistic projections, while also pointing out the deepening financial struggles of ordinary Nigerians, such as rising food prices and a declining industrial sector.

All three opposition groups criticized the budget for its sustainability and warned that it would exacerbate Nigeria’s growing debt burden. They called for more transparent and practical policies to address inflation, food security, and the structural weaknesses in the economy.