The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed allegations from former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, who claimed the 2026 Service-Wide Vote (SWV) was intended to finance President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 reelection campaign. The party labeled these accusations as either intentionally deceptive or evidence of a fundamental misunderstanding of government financial operations.
In a formal statement released in Abuja, the APC criticized the former presidential candidate for spreading groundless claims. The party clarified that the Service-Wide Vote is a standard budgetary instrument used to address unforeseen costs and government-wide obligations that emerge after the initial budget is approved. They emphasized that this mechanism is common in democracies worldwide and is not a clandestine slush fund.
Party spokesman Felix Morka remarked that it is concerning for a former Vice President to lack an elementary grasp of public finance. He further questioned Atiku’s credibility, citing his past record in government and accusing him of choosing fear-mongering over constructive policy dialogue.
The APC defended the administration’s fiscal record, pointing to initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the national minimum wage increase, and the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) program. According to the party, these projects demonstrate the Tinubu administration’s dedication to the Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes economic recovery, infrastructure development, and institutional reform.
