Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu’s administration to explain the sharp increase in the Service-Wide Vote contained in the 2026 federal budget, describing the allocation as lacking sufficient transparency and accountability. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate said the significant increase raises serious questions about public spending and called for full disclosure of how the funds are intended to be utilised.
In a statement issued through his spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku alleged that the Service-Wide Vote rose from N638 billion in the 2025 budget to N12.8 trillion in 2026, representing an increase of about 1,918 percent. According to him, the discretionary budget provision now accounts for a substantial portion of government expenditure linked to only 10 Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), which he claimed collectively control about 84 percent of the federal budget.
Atiku particularly questioned the allocation of N2.19 trillion for personnel costs under the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning. He argued that the figure appears inconsistent when compared with the N54.8 billion earmarked for personnel expenses at the Federal Ministry of Finance.
The former vice president called for detailed explanations regarding the workers covered by the allocation, the institutions involved and the legal basis for the expenditure, insisting that such figures deserve public scrutiny.
The opposition leader further argued that the amount captured under the Service-Wide Vote exceeds the combined allocations for critical sectors such as education, defence and agriculture. He warned that failure to provide a comprehensive explanation could fuel public suspicion over the intended use of the funds, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections. According to Atiku, governments asking citizens to endure economic hardship must also demonstrate transparency in managing public resources.
Atiku called on the National Assembly to conduct a comprehensive, line-by-line investigation into the Service-Wide Vote, with particular attention to the N2.19 trillion personnel allocation. He urged lawmakers to compel the relevant government agencies to disclose the beneficiaries of the funds and the legal framework authorising the expenditure. He maintained that greater transparency in the budgeting process is necessary to strengthen public confidence and uphold accountability in Nigeria’s fiscal management.
