The All Progressives Congress (APC) has refuted claims made by Atiku Abubakar, the former vice president and 2023 presidential candidate, alleging that the 2026 Service-Wide Vote (SWV) was misappropriated to finance President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election efforts.
Felix Morka, the APC National Publicity Secretary, issued a statement in Abuja on Wednesday characterizing the accusation as malicious and reflective of a misunderstanding of public fiscal operations. Atiku had previously labeled the fund an illicit resource for the upcoming election cycle, but Morka challenged the lack of supporting evidence for such claims.
Morka clarified that the Service-Wide Vote is a legitimate budgetary tool utilized globally to manage government obligations and unexpected costs that emerge after the initial budget is approved. He rejected the notion that it functions as a hidden account. The APC further contended that Atiku, given his background, should be familiar with these standard budgetary practices. The party accused the former vice president of attempting to damage the reputation of the current administration while ignoring its progress.
The ruling party highlighted several initiatives under the Renewed Hope Agenda, such as NELFUND, the minimum wage adjustment, the Consumer Credit Scheme, and the Presidential CNG initiative. The APC emphasized that citizens can discern the difference between political rhetoric and tangible results, stating that President Tinubu remains dedicated to economic stabilization and reform.
