TD Abuja, FCT — The All Progressives Congress (APC) has issued a sharp rebuttal to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who recently alleged that the Service-Wide Vote (SWV) in the 2026 federal budget was being set aside to fund President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
This was contained in a press statement signed by APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka.
APC noted that “Abubakar has become more disoriented and misguided than ever before in the history of his failed serial presidential bid”.
The ruling party described Atiku’s claim as “highly mischievous” and evidence of “disturbing ignorance of basic principles of public finance.”
APC’s Position
The APC insisted that the Service-Wide Vote is a legitimate budgetary mechanism, not a secret slush fund.
“A Service-Wide Vote is a long-established and widely used budgetary instrument designed to cater for government-wide obligations and unforeseen expenditures that arise after the annual budget has been passed.
“Similar contingency arrangements exist in virtually all major economies and democracies of the world,” the statement read.
The party accused Atiku of deliberately misleading Nigerians, arguing that he provided no facts to substantiate his allegation.
Attack on Atiku’s Record
The APC went further, framing Atiku’s criticism as hypocrisy given his own controversial record in public office.
“The ghost of his sordid past haunts Atiku. Ironically, a man whose reputation as a public servant is mired in some of Nigeria’s darkest episodes of mindless corruption and profligacy would attempt to smear a high-achieving administration and lecture Nigerians on fiscal responsibility,” Morka stated.
The party described Atiku as a “serial presidential contestant” who has “never articulated a clear vision or coherent plan for Nigeria’s development” and accused him of peddling “fake news and doomsday narratives.”
Tinubu Administration’s Achievements
The statement highlighted several initiatives the APC says demonstrate Tinubu’s fiscal responsibility and commitment to development:
- Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND): enabling nearly two million students to access higher education.
- New National Minimum Wage: implemented to improve workers’ welfare.
- Consumer Credit Scheme: expanding access to affordable financing.
- Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative: aimed at reducing transportation costs.
- Food and palliatives: distributed to vulnerable households.
- Infrastructure, healthcare, and agriculture investments: scaled up to boost growth.
- Tax reforms: simplifying the system and easing burdens on low-income Nigerians.
The APC argued that these interventions prove the administration is focused on “transforming national challenges into national opportunities.”
Broader Context
Atiku’s allegation comes amid heightened scrutiny of Nigeria’s 2026 budget, which faces a ₦31.45 trillion deficit within a ₦68.3 trillion spending plan.
The Service-Wide Vote, often criticized for its opacity, has historically been a flashpoint in debates about fiscal transparency.
While opposition figures frame the SWV as a potential tool for political patronage, the APC insists it is a standard contingency fund used worldwide.
The APC’s fiery response underscores the deepening political rivalry ahead of the 2027 elections.
By dismissing Atiku’s claims as baseless and highlighting Tinubu’s policy achievements, the ruling party seeks to reassure Nigerians of its fiscal discipline and governance priorities.
Whether the Service-Wide Vote allocations will continue to attract controversy remains to be seen.
In the meantime, the exchange has already sharpened public debate about transparency, accountability, and the use of public funds in Nigeria.
