The All Progressives Congress has rejected claims by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar. Atiku alleged that the 2026 Service-Wide Vote was set aside to fund President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
The ruling party called the allegation baseless. They said Atiku did not provide any proof to back his claim.
Atiku had released a statement on Monday. He accused Tinubu of using the 2026 federal budget to hide trillions of naira in unaccountable spending. He pointed to a large increase in the Service-Wide Vote that he said the government must explain.
Atiku claimed the SWV, which is a discretionary budget line, increased from N638 billion in 2025 to N12.8 trillion this year. That is almost a 1,918 percent rise, which he described as one of the most obvious examples of financial secrecy in Nigeria’s democratic history.
In a statement released on Wednesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the APC said Atiku’s claim either showed “mischief” or a misunderstanding of public finance.
Morka stated, “The recent allegation that the 2026 budgetary Service-Wide Vote was set aside to fund President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign is either highly mischievous or shows disturbing ignorance of basic principles of public finance.”
He added that Atiku had “not advanced any facts to verify his sensational claim.” Morka described the allegation as “based purely on conjecture and calculated to inflame, mislead, and distract Nigerians from the visible and steady progress recorded under President Tinubu’s administration.”
The APC explained that the Service-Wide Vote is a recognized budget tool used to meet government obligations and unexpected expenses after the annual budget is approved.
“A Service-Wide Vote is a long-established and widely used budgetary mechanism designed to cater for government-wide obligations and unforeseen expenditures that arise after the annual budget has been passed,” Morka said.
He continued, “A Service-Wide Vote is not a secret fund or an illegal slush account, as Atiku has baselessly and recklessly alleged.”
The party also criticized Atiku for making claims without evidence regarding the budget.
“As a serial presidential candidate, Atiku has never once shared a clear vision or solid plan for Nigeria’s development. He has remained a petty peddler of fake news and doomsday narratives. Making baseless and inflammatory allegations without justification is irresponsible and unbecoming of a former Vice President,” the statement read.
In defense of the Tinubu administration, the APC stated that the President is focused on policies that aim to improve the economy and the welfare of Nigerians.
“Nigerians are smart enough to see the difference between President Tinubu and desperate, aimless presidential candidates like Atiku. President Tinubu is working to turn national challenges into national opportunities, making significant and unprecedented progress for our country,” Morka stated.
The party highlighted some of the administration’s programs, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the new national minimum wage, the Consumer Credit Scheme, the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative, and investments in infrastructure, healthcare, and agriculture, along with tax reforms.
“The APC and its administration remain focused on achieving the Renewed Hope Agenda, rebuilding the economy, improving public institutions, expanding infrastructure, and enhancing living standards for all Nigerians,” the statement concluded.
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