Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the N22.15 billion allocated for traditional rulers’ palaces in the 2026 Appropriation Act. He has questioned whether the Federal Government has the constitutional authority to fund such projects.
Atiku expressed his position through a statement issued on Thursday. His Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, conveyed the former vice president’s concerns. Atiku warned that the allocation could create room for unlawful spending.
Constitution does not empower FG for palace projects, says Atiku
According to Atiku, the 1999 Constitution clearly defines the responsibilities of each tier of government. He argued that it does not empower the Federal Government to build or renovate palaces for traditional institutions.
“President Tinubu swore an oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, not to amend it through the Appropriation Act,” he said. “Traditional institutions are matters within the constitutional competence of state and local governments. A federal budget cannot lawfully be used to assume responsibilities that the Constitution has assigned elsewhere.”
The former vice president challenged the legal basis for the spending. He asked pointed questions about which constitutional provision authorises such expenditure. “Under which provision of the Constitution is the Federal Government appropriating N22.15 billion from the Federation Account for the construction and renovation of 106 palaces? Which Constitution is President Tinubu operating?” Atiku asked.
Traditional institutions are state matters, Atiku insists
Atiku pointed out that the Constitution only references traditional institutions in the Third Schedule, Part II. This section allows states to establish Councils of Chiefs. These councils advise governors on chieftaincy and customary law matters.
“The 1999 Constitution did not establish, fund or assign any executive responsibility over traditional institutions to the Federal Government,” he stated.
“Beyond this limited advisory role, the Constitution leaves the creation, administration and funding of traditional institutions to state governments and their Houses of Assembly. President Tinubu cannot, by the instrument of an Appropriation Act, assume powers that the Constitution deliberately withheld from the Federal Government.”
Details of palace projects remain undisclosed
Atiku also faulted the government for not providing details of the projects. He noted that the identities of the beneficiaries remain unknown. Furthermore, the locations of the palaces and the breakdown of funds have not been disclosed to the public.
He warned that withholding such information raises serious concerns. The projects might only exist in official documents, he suggested. Consequently, the intended monarchs may never benefit from the allocation.
“Our royal fathers deserve dignity and respect,” he said. “They must not be used as unwilling instruments to legitimise opaque and constitutionally questionable budgetary allocations. If this administration truly respects the traditional institution, it should stop hiding behind it.”
Atiku demands transparency from Presidency, Budget Office
The former vice president added that the national budget should reflect constitutional principles. It should also demonstrate clear government priorities. However, he insisted it should not serve as a cover for questionable expenditure.
Atiku called on the Presidency, the Budget Office, and all relevant MDAs to take immediate action. He demanded the full list of the 106 palace projects. He also requested details on their locations, the amount allocated to each, and the constitutional basis for the expenditure. Additionally, he asked for information about the procurement process.
“The national treasury is not a Bourdillon-based private vault, and the Appropriation Act is not a license to suspend the Constitution,” he declared.
“No government can claim to uphold the rule of law while appropriating public funds for projects it cannot constitutionally undertake and whose beneficiaries it refuses to identify,” Atiku added.
Read also: APC chieftain asks Atiku to step down, become a statesman
