A fresh political exchange has erupted over the 2026 budget, with the All Progressives Congress (APC), pushing back against claims by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar that a ₦12.8 trillion Service-Wide Vote was created to support President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.
The ruling party described the allegation as unfounded, insisting that Atiku failed to provide evidence to support his claim.
Atiku, the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate for the 2027 election, had accused the Tinubu administration of using the budget to conceal unaccountable spending. He questioned the sharp rise in the Service-Wide Vote, which he said increased from ₦638 billion in 2025 to ₦12.8 trillion in 2026, describing it as a major concern for fiscal transparency.
Responding in a statement, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka said the allegation reflected either political mischief or a misunderstanding of public finance principles. Morka argued that Atiku’s claim was based on speculation and lacked supporting facts, accusing him of attempting to mislead Nigerians.
The APC explained that the Service-Wide Vote is a legitimate budgetary provision used to meet government-wide obligations and unexpected expenditures after the approval of the annual budget. nThe party stressed that the allocation is not a secret fund or an illegal spending mechanism, but a recognised component of public financial management.
It also criticised Atiku’s economic comments, accusing him of focusing on criticism rather than presenting workable solutions for national development. The ruling party said the Tinubu administration remained committed to its Renewed Hope Agenda through reforms in education, infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, taxation and social programmes.
The APC maintained that its focus remains on strengthening the economy and improving the welfare of Nigerians ahead of the 2027 elections.
