The Conference of United Political Parties (CUPP) has strongly criticized President Bola Tinubu’s 2025 budget proposal, describing it as a stark reflection of Nigeria’s enduring fiscal woes, with debt servicing overshadowing critical investments in key sectors.
Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, Chief Peter Ameh, the National Secretary of CUPP, decried the disproportionate allocation to debt repayment at the expense of healthcare, education, and infrastructure, calling it a recurring pattern in Nigeria’s budgeting process.
“A substantial chunk of the budget goes to debt servicing while essential sectors remain woefully underfunded,” Ameh stated. “This approach perpetuates poverty, stifles economic growth, and deprives Nigerians of basic necessities.”
Highlighting the consequences of this fiscal imbalance, Ameh warned of rising disillusionment among citizens and called for a paradigm shift in budget priorities.
“The 2025 budget is an opportunity to invest in critical sectors, create jobs, and reduce poverty,” he noted, urging the government to adopt transparent, inclusive, and performance-based budgeting strategies to ensure efficient allocation of funds.
To ease the burden of debt servicing, Ameh advocated for measures such as debt restructuring, revenue enhancement, and budget realignment, emphasizing that bold reforms are essential to redefine Nigeria’s fiscal trajectory.
“The choice is clear: either we continue down this unsustainable path or seize the opportunity to prioritize the needs of Nigerians. The consequences of inaction will be dire,” he concluded.
The CUPP’s critique underscores the growing demand for accountability and reforms in Nigeria’s budgeting process, as the nation grapples with its pressing economic challenges.
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