𝟕% 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐀𝐫𝐦𝐲 𝐄𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐒𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐬 𝐀𝐏𝐂 𝐍𝐨𝐭 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐮𝐬 – 𝐀𝐃𝐂

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the federal government of failing to take the fight against insecurity seriously, following revelations that only seven percent of the Nigerian Army’s 2025 budget for security equipment was released.

Speaking in a statement issued on Tuesday, the opposition party said the development exposed a pattern of lip service from the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led government.

According to the ADC, out of N336.76 billion approved for security equipment in 2025, only N16.71 billion was released. The party also said nothing was released for transport, aircraft fuel, and military barracks.

The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, signed the statement.

He said, “Out of the N336.76 billion approved, only a paltry N16.71 billion has reportedly been disbursed, while nothing has been released for critical logistics such as transport, aircraft fuel, and military barracks.”

He added, “At a time when Nigeria is battling widespread insecurity, this is not just disturbing, it is indefensible. It is yet another example of a government that talks tough on security but fails to back it up with action.”

The ADC linked the funding shortfall to the worsening security situation, pointing to the recent abduction of over 400 women and children in Ngoshe, Borno State. Boko Haram has reportedly demanded N5 billion in ransom and issued a 72-hour ultimatum.

“This is the painful reality of our country today: a country where terrorists feel bold enough to issue deadlines to the state; a country where hundreds of citizens can be held hostage while the government underfunds the very military meant to protect them,” Abdullahi said.

He said, “When only a fraction of security funds is released, when nothing is provided for logistics like mobility and fuel, and when equipment procurement is delayed, the result is predictable: a weakened security system.”

The party also criticised the government for prioritising the presidential fleet over military aircraft.

“While the military struggles with chronic underfunding, the federal government has reportedly ensured full funding for the luxurious presidential air fleet enjoyed by President Tinubu and his immediate family, even as military aircraft remain grounded due to a lack of resources,” Abdullahi said.

“This paints a troubling picture of a government that is more concerned with comfort at the top than safety on the ground.”

The ADC noted that in April 2026 alone, insurgent groups have demanded over N12 billion in ransom.

“You cannot starve our brave men and women in uniform of the tools they need and expect them to defeat a determined and well-armed enemy,” Abdullahi said. “This is not just a budgeting failure, it is a failure of leadership.”

The party called on the federal government to act urgently to secure the release of the abducted women and children and to treat security funding as a top priority.

“Nigeria does not lack resources,” Abdullahi said. “What we lack is the discipline to put those resources where they matter most.”