Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has issued a stark warning to the Federal Government regarding the management of the $1.07 billion allocated to the health sector in the 2025 budget.
In a detailed statement from Abuja, Atiku stressed that this substantial sum must be safeguarded against misappropriation and called for the implementation of robust mechanisms to ensure its proper utilization for enhancing primary healthcare services.
Atiku criticized the government’s lack of transparency, noting that public funds should not disappear into obscurity—citing colorful allegations of funds being “swallowed” by unlikely culprits such as snakes and monkeys as emblematic of previous mismanagement. He argued that the health sector, which already faces significant challenges, demands a clear, accountable framework that details how the money will be spent, particularly since a large portion of the funds has been sourced through foreign loans and donor agencies.
“It will be immoral not to provide extensive details on the expenditure of these funds,” Atiku asserted. He warned that any failure to adhere to stringent public audit protocols would not only undermine the intended improvements in healthcare but also burden future generations with unpayable debts.
Atiku’s call for accountability resonates with broader demands for fiscal responsibility and transparent governance in critical sectors.
