APC Fires Back At Atiku, Dismisses ₦12.8 Trillion Allegation Against Tinubu’s Government

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has strongly rejected allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate for the 2027 election, Atiku Abubakar, that the Federal Government concealed ₦12.8 trillion in the 2026 budget under the Service-Wide Vote (SWV).....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

Atiku had alleged that the amount was hidden within the SWV provision of the 2026 Appropriation Act, describing the budget as an unprecedented attack on transparency and fiscal accountability in Nigeria’s democratic history.

Responding on Wednesday, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka dismissed the claims, insisting that the Service-Wide Vote is a legitimate and internationally recognised budgetary mechanism rather than a secret or unlawful fund.

In a post on his account, Morka explained that the SWV is a longstanding provision used by governments to meet nationwide obligations and accommodate unforeseen expenditures that arise after the passage of the annual budget.

According to him, similar contingency arrangements exist in many democratic countries and should not be misrepresented as evidence of financial impropriety.

The APC spokesman accused Atiku of either misunderstanding the purpose of the Service-Wide Vote or deliberately misrepresenting it for political purposes.

“One would expect a former Vice President and a long-time presidential aspirant to understand the concept of the Service-Wide Vote, which is a basic principle of public finance. It is a well-established budgetary instrument designed to meet government-wide obligations and unforeseen expenditures after the budget has been approved,” Morka stated.

He maintained that the SWV is neither a secret fund nor an illegal slush account, contrary to Atiku’s allegations.

Morka also launched a personal attack on the former vice president, accusing him of attempting to project onto the current administration what he described as the failings of his own years in public office.

“The ghost of his sordid past continues to haunt Atiku. It is ironic that someone whose public service record has been associated with some of Nigeria’s darkest episodes of corruption and fiscal recklessness is now attempting to lecture Nigerians on transparency and budgetary accountability. He is merely attributing to others the shortcomings of his own time in government,” the APC spokesman said.

The exchange marks the latest in a series of political disagreements between the ruling APC and opposition figures as preparations for the 2027 general election gather momentum.