NDC Accuses Tinubu Government Of Prioritising Campaign Propaganda Over Critical Sectors

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of prioritising political publicity and patronage over critical sectors of the economy, arguing that the alleged spending on campaign propaganda raises questions about the government’s budgetary priorities.

The party said the administration’s failure to adequately fund key sectors, including defence, healthcare, education and infrastructure, in the 2024 and 2025 fiscal years, as well as uncertainty surrounding the implementation of the 2026 budget, contrasted sharply with the resources allegedly deployed for political advertisements and campaign activities.

The NDC National Campaign Council Spokesperson, Dr Chiogo Constance Ikokwu, made the allegations in a statement issued on Sunday, November 15, 2026.

Ikokwu said the party had observed what it described as an extensive campaign publicity drive, involving advertisements, donations of vehicles, laptops, sewing machines, food items and other gifts by individuals and groups claiming to support the President’s mandate.

She questioned the rationale behind what she described as substantial spending on political patronage at a time when government funding for essential public services remained inadequate.

According to her, despite increased government revenue from the removal of fuel subsidy and taxation, critical sectors continued to face funding challenges.

She cited reported figures showing that only about seven per cent of the defence capital budget was released in 2025, while the Minister of Health reportedly disclosed that just N36 million was released from the N218 billion allocated to health capital expenditure during the same year.

The NDC spokesperson argued that the figures raised concerns about the government’s commitment to addressing insecurity, improving healthcare delivery and providing essential infrastructure.

She also accused some state governments, particularly those that had joined the All Progressives Congress (APC), of maintaining inadequate budgetary funding while allegedly having resources available for campaign publicity.

Ikokwu further linked what the party described as poor governance and misplaced spending priorities to rising political intimidation and violence, alleging that such developments were aimed at discouraging voters from participating in the January 2027 elections.

The party warned that political advertisements, gifts and other forms of patronage could not permanently conceal the consequences of poor governance.

It also used the statement to outline its proposed alternative under the Obi/Kwankwaso administration, promising greater accountability, improved funding for public services and a shift from consumption to production.

The NDC challenged the Tinubu administration to publish verifiable figures showing the actual funds released for critical capital projects and administrative subventions in 2024, 2025 and 2026, compared with expenditure on political publicity and patronage.

It maintained that Nigerians deserved transparency on how public resources were being allocated and utilised, particularly in sectors directly affecting national security, economic development and citizens’ welfare.