APC Knocks Atiku Over Service-Wide Vote Claim, Defends Tinubu’s Budget
By Matthew Eloyi
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed allegations by former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, that the 2026 Service-Wide Vote (SWV) in the national budget was earmarked to finance President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, the APC’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, described the allegation as “highly mischievous” and reflective of “disturbing ignorance” of the principles of public finance.
Morka said Atiku failed to provide any evidence to substantiate his claim, accusing him of relying on speculation aimed at misleading Nigerians and diverting attention from what he described as the achievements of the Tinubu administration.
According to the APC spokesman, the Service-Wide Vote is a long-established budgetary provision designed to cater for government-wide obligations and unforeseen expenditures that may arise after the passage of the annual budget.
He explained that the mechanism is a standard fiscal instrument used in many democratic countries and should not be misconstrued as a secret or illegal fund.
“You would think that a former Vice President and long-time presidential aspirant would understand the concept of a Service-Wide Vote, which is an elementary principle of public finance,” Morka stated.
The APC further launched a scathing attack on Atiku, alleging that his criticism was driven by his political ambitions and describing him as a “serial presidential contestant” without a coherent development agenda for the country.
Morka also accused the former Vice President of promoting misinformation and attempting to undermine the administration through what he termed baseless allegations.
Defending President Tinubu’s fiscal management, the ruling party highlighted several programmes it said demonstrate prudent use of public resources, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the implementation of the new national minimum wage, the Consumer Credit Scheme, and the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative.
The APC also cited investments in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, tax reforms, and support programmes for vulnerable households as evidence of the administration’s commitment to improving the welfare of Nigerians.
Reaffirming the party’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, Morka said the Tinubu administration would remain focused on economic recovery, institutional reforms, infrastructure development and improving living standards across the country.
“The APC and its administration remain focused on realising the Renewed Hope Agenda, rebuilding the country’s economy, deepening institutional reforms, expanding public infrastructure, and improving living conditions for all Nigerians,” he said.