Welcome to Monday’s roundup of Nigerian newspaper headlines, accompanied by our advocacy-focused calls on issues that impact citizens.

1. The Guardian: 2026 Budget: Amid revenue uncertainty, vehicles, ‘sundry expenses’ cut big slices

The Guardian reports that in the midst of a strained economy, the federal government’s appropriation proposal reads less like an emergency response and more like a comfort plan for public officials, with vast sums allocated to vehicle upgrades, office upkeep and loosely defined ‘miscellaneous’ expenses.

Our Take: The federal government, the Budget Office, the National Assembly and all MDAs must stop treating the national budget like a luxury catalogue for official comfort while citizens are asked to tighten belts that no longer have holes. Lawmakers should slash frivolous lines, demand detailed justifications for every ‘miscellaneous’ entry, and subject vehicle upgrades and office indulgences to public scrutiny.

2. Punch: INEC faces legal heat over ‘missing’ N55.9bn 2019 election funds

The Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has filed a lawsuit against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) over the alleged mismanagement of N55.9bn intended for the purchase of smart card readers, ballot papers, result sheets, and other election materials for the 2019 general elections.

Our Take: Josh Amupitan, as the newly sworn-in INEC chair, you should immediately open INEC’s books on the N55.9 billion, publish who got paid, for what, and on whose approval, because democracy is not a Netflix series where viewers wait till the final episode to find out what happened to the money. Nigerians are watching closely, and this is your chance to show that under your leadership, INEC counts votes with integrity and accounts for funds with receipts, not excuses.

3. Daily Trust: Katsina defends release of 70 bandits

The Katsina State Government has justified its plan to facilitate the release of 70 persons facing trial for alleged involvement in banditry, describing it as part of efforts towards consolidating peace deals with armed groups operating across the state.

Our Take: The Katsina State Government, the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Katsina State Judiciary, and security agencies must immediately explain to citizens how suspects facing serious banditry charges qualify for release under the guise of ‘repentance’, and under what law this arrangement operates. Peacebuilding cannot become a clearance sale where violent crimes are discounted in exchange for temporary calm, while victims are left with trauma and silence.