By John Alechenu

ABUJA — The Conference of United Political Parties (CUPP) has criticized the 2025 budget proposal presented by President Bola Tinubu, describing it as a stark reflection of Nigeria’s persistent fiscal challenges.

Chief Peter Ameh, the National Secretary of CUPP, made this known in Abuja on Wednesday, highlighting the disproportionate allocation to debt servicing at the expense of critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and infrastructure.

Ameh stated, “A cursory examination of the line items reveals a familiar pattern: debt servicing continues to take a substantial chunk of the budget, while allocations for essential sectors remain woefully inadequate. This trend has plagued Nigeria’s budgeting process for years.”

He lamented the dire consequences of this approach, noting that it perpetuates poverty, stagnates economic growth, and denies Nigerians access to basic necessities such as healthcare, education, and clean water.

According to him, “The human cost of this mismanagement is evident. The failure to address these pressing needs has led to widespread disillusionment and frustration among Nigerians.”

Ameh emphasized the need for a paradigm shift, stating, “The President’s budget proposal for 2025 presents an opportunity to prioritize investments in critical sectors, create jobs, stimulate economic growth, and reduce poverty.”

To achieve this, he recommended a transformation of the budgeting process, advocating for transparency, accountability, and inclusive stakeholder engagement.

“The government must adopt a proactive approach to budgeting, involving civil society, the private sector, and citizens to ensure allocations reflect the country’s pressing needs,” Ameh said. He also proposed performance-based budgeting to allocate funds efficiently based on project outcomes.

Addressing the burden of debt servicing, Ameh called for strategies such as debt restructuring, revenue enhancement, and budget realignment to alleviate the strain on national resources.

He concluded, “The 2025 budget proposal presents a critical juncture for Nigeria. Will the government continue down the path of debt servicing and neglect, or seize the opportunity to transform the budgeting process and prioritize the needs of its citizens? The choice is clear, and the consequences of inaction will be dire.”

Ameh urged the government to take bold steps to redefine Nigeria’s fiscal trajectory, emphasizing the importance of transparency, accountability, and the well-being of all Nigerians.