Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to either assent to the Federal Audit Service Bill or resign from office.
Atiku, in a statement issued on Friday by his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu, accused the President of delaying action on the bill months after it was transmitted to him by the National Assembly.
He described the delay as a sign of disregard for constitutional provisions, institutional accountability and the rule of law.
According to Atiku, Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution mandates the President to either assent to a bill or withhold assent within 30 days after it is presented.
He argued that the constitutional provision was a clear directive and not a discretionary matter, warning that allowing bills to remain unattended undermines democratic governance.
Atiku said the Federal Audit Service Bill was aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s audit system, enhancing the independence of the Auditor-General and improving transparency in public spending.
He stressed that delaying reforms that could improve accountability sends a negative message, especially at a time Nigerians are demanding stronger oversight of government finances.
The former Vice President also linked the matter to recent controversies surrounding alleged financial irregularities, including claims of N8.8 trillion in unaccounted expenditure and the controversy involving the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
He said the PFIPC controversy should not be treated as an isolated incident, arguing that weak institutional safeguards could create room for public distrust and poor accountability.
“Every major scandal begins with a smaller act of institutional neglect. It begins when constitutional provisions are treated as optional and oversight institutions are weakened,” Atiku stated.
The development comes amid public debate over financial transparency in the Tinubu administration, following claims of unexplained government expenditures and calls for stronger accountability mechanisms.
Samuel Agada is a writer and media contributor from Olamaboro Local Government Area of Kogi State, Nigeria. He is a graduate of Biochemistry from the University of Jos and a former banker with GTBank and FCMB. A prolific writer, songwriter, educator, and Gospel preacher, he is passionate about informing, inspiring, and impacting society through his work.