PDP Faults Sanwo-Olu’s N4.2tn 2026 Budget Plan

Doherty stated that the budget proposal submitted to the House on November 25, 2025, contains problems that should be resolved before lawmakers pass it into law. He noted that while the total budget size was put at N4.237 trillion, the breakdown showed N2.052 trillion for recurrent spending and N2.185 trillion for capital projects. According to him, about N383 billion listed under recurrent spending was meant for debt servicing and should not be placed in that category. He argued that this affects the accuracy of both the recurrent and capital figures.

He further said that when all sector allocations were added together, the total came to about N3.4 trillion, which was far lower than the full budget figure presented to lawmakers. In his view, this raised doubts about the reliability of the estimates provided.

The PDP aspirant also faulted the Lagos State Government for limiting public access to budget documents during the review process. He said residents often only see full budget details after the law has been passed, making it difficult for citizens and independent bodies to review or contribute meaningfully.

He raised concerns about the amount set aside for consultancy and professional services, stating that these costs make up nearly 15 per cent of recurrent spending. He questioned the need for such repeated expenses and whether they offer value for money.

Doherty added that transparency has declined despite higher revenues following fuel subsidy removal and currency changes. He said details of contract awards were no longer being made public by the Lagos State Public Procurement Agency, contrary to legal requirements.

On social spending, he argued that sectors such as education, health, housing, and water have received low funding over several years. He said that combined spending on these areas made up only 17 per cent of total expenditure over five years, which he described as inadequate for a state with a large young population. He noted that allocations to the House of Assembly in 2025 reportedly exceeded the combined capital budget for health and education.

He also pointed to revenue projections, stating that Lagos often expects more income than it eventually earns. He said that while the 2026 budget projects N4.237 trillion in revenue, actual earnings by September 2025 stood at N2.07 trillion, compared to a full-year target of N3.37 trillion. He warned that repeated overestimation affects planning and execution.

While admitting that some progress has been made in budget preparation, Doherty called on lawmakers to demand better access to full budget details before approval. He urged the House to ensure future budgets are open to public review during the legislative process.

Attempts to get a response from the Lagos State Government were unsuccessful, as the governor’s media aide could not be reached at the time of filing the report.