“You Cannot Starve Our Brave Men And Women Of Tools They Need And Expect Them  To Defeat Terror”, ADC Tells  Tinubu

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The opposition African Democratic Congress, ADC, has expressed deep shock and concern over reports  which  suggest that  only about  seven per cent of the total budgetary allocation to the Military  for the 2025 fiscal year has been released by the Federal Government.

This is as the party warned that the non-release of budgeted funds has severely hampered the procurement of security equipment, and weakened operations on the military front lines and theatres of operations.

The ADC’s alarm bell is tolling in the middle of avoidable deaths of both senior and junior military personnel at military formations, particularly within the security- challenged regions of Nigeria of late.

In a statement from Bolaji Abdullahi, its spokesperson on Tuesday April 21, 2026, the ADC alleged that out of the total budgetary allocation of N336.76 billion for security equipment and logistics in the 2025 fiscal year, only N16.71bn has been released.

According to the party, this ugly situation has resulted in lack of funds for the servicing  of key logistics including transport, fuel for aircraft and maintenance of barracks, and military bases.

The party expressed serious concern that such a lackadaisical attitude towards the military is coming at a very critical moment that the country is facing security challenges.

It emphasized that the poor funding of military operations have resulted in some serious consequences including mass abduction of innocent citizens, and wanton loss of lives of military personnel, particularly in the North-east region of the country.

The party noted with regret reports indicating that over 400 women and children abducted in Ngoshe Borno State are presently facing threat of death in insurgents’ den.

“The African Democratic Congress, ADC, is appalled by recent reports that only about seven per cent of the Nigerian Army’s budget for security equipment has been released in the 2025 fiscal year.

“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.

“At a time when Nigeria is battling widespread insecurity, this is not just disturbing, it is indefensible.

“Reports indicate that over 400 women and children abducted in Ngoshe, Borno State are now the subject of a N5 billion ransom demand by Boko Haram, with a 72-hour ultimatum, and chilling threat that the victims may be dispersed and never seen again if the Government fails to act.

“The connection between these two realities is direct. 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.

“And when the state looks weak, those who threaten it grow stronger with devastating consequences for ordinary Nigerians”, the ADC stated.

According to the opposition Coalition, while critical security agencies are starved of funds, the Government has continued to lavish money on such frivolous projects as the maintenance of unwieldy presidential air fleet.”

The party warned that the negative effects of such gross misplacement of priorities by the Government have already begun to manifest across the country, with farmers, and Communities left vulnerable and unable to return to their farms.

“While the military struggles with chronic underfunding, the Federal Government has reportedly ensured full funding for the luxurious presidential air fleet enjoyed by the President ,and his immediate family, even as military aircrafts remain grounded due to lack of resources.

“A Government that releases only seven per cent of security equipment funds, and nothing for critical logistics cannot claim to be serious about winning the war against terror.

“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.

“This is not just a budgeting failure, it is a failure of leadership”, the ADC declared.