Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to explain the inclusion of ₦12.8 trillion under the Service-Wide Vote (SWV) in the 2026 Appropriation Act, describing the allocation as unprecedented and urging the National Assembly to carry out a detailed investigation into the expenditure.
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar has questioned what he described as the extraordinary increase in the Service-Wide Vote contained in the 2026 federal budget.
In a statement released on Monday, Atiku argued that the massive allocation raises serious concerns about transparency, accountability and fiscal discipline, insisting that Nigerians deserve a full explanation from the Federal Government.
According to Atiku, the Service-Wide Vote reportedly rose from about ₦638 billion in the 2025 budget to ₦12.8 trillion in the 2026 Appropriation Act—an increase he described as unprecedented.
He further alleged that a significant proportion of the national budget is concentrated within a small number of ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), calling for greater openness in the management of public funds.
The former vice president urged the National Assembly to conduct a line-by-line review of the allocation to determine the purpose of the funds and ensure proper legislative oversight.
He argued that the Service-Wide Vote should not become a channel for expenditures that are insufficiently explained or shielded from public scrutiny.
As of the time of filing this report, the Presidency had not issued an official response to Atiku’s allegations.
The Service-Wide Vote is a budgetary provision traditionally used to accommodate government-wide obligations and unforeseen expenditures, though its size and application often attract public debate.
Atiku’s latest criticism adds to the growing political exchanges ahead of the 2027 general election, with economic management and public spending expected to remain central issues in national discourse in the months ahead.