The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed allegations by former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, that the 2026 Service-Wide Vote (SWV) in the federal budget was earmarked to finance President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 reelection campaign.
In a statement issued by the APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, the party described Atiku’s claim as “mischievous” and lacking factual basis. He said it was aimed at misleading Nigerians and distracting from the achievements of the Tinubu administration.
The ruling party explained that the Service-Wide Vote is a long-established budgetary provision used to cater for government-wide obligations and unforeseen expenditures after the passage of the annual budget.
According to the APC, similar contingency arrangements exist in many democracies around the world and should not be misconstrued as a secret or illegal fund.
The party further accused Atiku of attempting to tarnish the image of the Tinubu administration, alleging that his criticisms were influenced by what it described as his “sordid past” in public service.
It also faulted Atiku’s record as a presidential candidate, saying he had consistently failed to present a coherent development agenda for Nigeria and had instead resorted to making unfounded and inflammatory allegations.
Defending President Tinubu’s economic policies, the party highlighted several flagship programmes of the administration, including the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the implementation of the new national minimum wage, the Consumer Credit Scheme, and the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (P-CNG) Initiative aimed at reducing transportation costs.
It also listed ongoing investments in infrastructure, healthcare, agriculture, industrial development, food support for vulnerable households, and tax reforms designed to simplify the tax system and ease the burden on low-income Nigerians.
The APC maintained that the Tinubu administration remains committed to delivering on its Renewed Hope Agenda through economic reforms, institutional strengthening, infrastructure expansion, and improved living standards for Nigerians.