African Democratic Congress condemns federal government for meager 7% disbursement of military hardware funds

The African Democratic Congress has expressed strong criticism of the Federal Government's handling of the Nigerian Army's 2025 budget, with only about seven per cent of the allocated funds for security equipment having been released, thereby compromising operations and leaving communities vulnerable to attacks.

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This significant shortfall is attributed to the fact that out of the approved N336.76 billion for security equipment in 2025, only N16.71 billion has been released, with a notable absence of funding for essential logistics such as transport, aircraft fuel, and military barracks.

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The party's National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, highlighted the discrepancy between the approved and released funds, emphasizing the severe implications of this shortfall on the nation's security.

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The ADC's statement condemned the meager release of funds, stating that the African Democratic Congress is appalled by recent reports that only about 7 per cent of the Nigerian Army’s budget for security equipment has been released in the 2025 fiscal year.

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According to the party, the released amount of N16.71 billion is a paltry sum compared to the approved N336.76 billion, with no allocation for critical logistics such as transport, aircraft fuel, and military barracks, which is disturbing and indefensible given the country's insecurity challenges.

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A recent mass abduction in Ngoshe, Borno State, where over 400 women and children were taken by Boko Haram, has further underscored the severity of the situation, with the victims now subject to a N5 billion ransom demand and a 72-hour ultimatum.

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The ADC noted that ransom demands by armed groups have increased sharply, with over N12 billion demanded in April 2026 alone, highlighting the direct connection between the shortfall in security funds and the growing strength of threats to the state.

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The party criticized the perceived mismatch in priorities, where the military faces funding shortages while the presidential air fleet is fully funded, with the statement pointing out that the federal government has ensured full funding for the luxurious presidential air fleet.

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This has resulted in the military struggling with chronic underfunding, while military aircraft remain grounded due to a lack of resources, exacerbating the vulnerability of communities nationwide.

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The ADC warned that the effects of this shortfall are already being felt, with communities left vulnerable, farmers unable to return to their fields, and businesses operating under constant fear, emphasizing that a government that releases only 7 per cent of security equipment funds cannot claim to be serious about winning the war against terror.

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The party emphasized that starving the military of necessary resources while expecting them to defeat a determined and well-armed enemy is not just a budgeting failure, but a failure of leadership.

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The ADC called on the Federal Government to urgently secure the release of those abducted and ensure that security budgets are backed by timely funding for equipment, logistics, training, and intelligence, stating that Nigeria does not lack resources, but rather the discipline to allocate them effectively.

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The party warned that until funding matches the scale of the threat, the gap between Nigeria’s security promises and realities may continue to widen, emphasizing the need for a more disciplined approach to resource allocation.