The All Progressives Congress has rejected an allegation by former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar that the ₦12.8 trillion Service-Wide Vote in Nigeria’s 2026 budget could be used to finance President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, responded to the allegation in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, describing Atiku’s position as misleading and unsupported by evidence.
Atiku, identified as the African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, had asked President Tinubu to explain the ₦12.8 trillion allocated to the Service-Wide Vote, commonly known as SWV, in the 2026 federal budget.
The former vice-president raised concerns about transparency and fiscal accountability surrounding the allocation, arguing that the size of the provision required a detailed explanation from the Federal Government.
Responding, Morka accused Atiku of misrepresenting the purpose of the Service-Wide Vote and failing to provide evidence linking the allocation to President Tinubu’s 2027 political campaign.
The APC spokesman said the SWV was an established component of government budgeting used to meet obligations that cut across ministries and agencies, as well as expenditures that may arise after an annual budget has been approved.
According to him, similar contingency arrangements operate in several countries and should not automatically be portrayed as secret or unlawful government funds.
Morka argued that Atiku, given his years of experience in government and repeated participation in presidential elections, should understand the purpose of such public finance mechanisms.
He also accused the former vice-president of relying on political allegations rather than presenting what the APC considered a clear alternative development programme for Nigeria.
The party spokesman maintained that the allegation was intended to create public distrust and shift attention away from what the APC described as progress recorded under the Tinubu administration.
Morka said Nigerians were capable of assessing the political records and leadership credentials of both President Tinubu and Atiku.
Defending the administration’s management of public resources, he pointed to several government programmes which the APC said demonstrated its commitment to economic and social development.
Among the initiatives highlighted were the Nigerian Education Loan Fund, the implementation of the new national minimum wage, the Consumer Credit Scheme and the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative.
Morka said the student loan programme had expanded access to higher education, while other government interventions were designed to improve access to affordable credit and reduce transportation costs.
The APC spokesman added that the Tinubu administration remained committed to implementing its Renewed Hope Agenda despite criticism from opposition figures.
According to him, the government’s priorities include rebuilding the Nigerian economy, strengthening institutions, expanding infrastructure and improving living conditions across the country.
The dispute adds to the growing political debate surrounding the 2026 federal budget and government spending as political parties position themselves ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election.
