Atiku Tells Tinubu to Sign Federal Audit Service Bill or Resign Amid Accountability Concerns

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to immediately sign the Federal Audit Service Bill into law or step down from office, accusing the administration of disregarding constitutional obligations and weakening public accountability.

The 2027 presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) made the demand in a statement issued on Friday through his spokesperson, Phrank Shaibu. Atiku criticized the President for failing to act on the bill months after it was passed by the National Assembly and transmitted for presidential assent.

He argued that the continued delay reflects an administration that is increasingly indifferent to constitutional order, institutional accountability and the rule of law. Atiku maintained that the Constitution places a clear obligation on the President to either approve or reject bills within a specified period.

Quoting Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), Atiku said: “Where a bill is presented to the President for assent, he shall within thirty days thereof, signify that he assents or that he withholds assent.”

He added: “That provision is neither decorative nor discretionary. It is a constitutional command. The framers of our Constitution never envisaged a president who would simply sit on legislation indefinitely while governance drifts without certainty or accountability.”

Atiku described the Federal Audit Service Bill as a crucial reform designed to strengthen Nigeria’s public finance management by modernising the country’s audit framework, reinforcing the independence of the Auditor-General and improving oversight of government spending. He warned that delaying action on such legislation undermines public confidence at a time when Nigerians are demanding greater transparency in governance.

The former vice president further argued that institutional failures often begin with the disregard of constitutional safeguards. He said weakening oversight mechanisms and ignoring legal obligations create conditions that allow larger governance challenges to emerge over time.

Referring to the controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC), Atiku said the episode highlights the dangers of weak institutions and conflicting official narratives. He noted that while investigations into the matter are ongoing, the controversy has raised broader questions about transparency and public trust in government.

His remarks also come amid public debate following reports surrounding alleged ₦8.8 trillion in unaccounted government expenditure, as referenced in recent discussions involving the International Monetary Fund (IMF), alongside the ongoing PFIPC controversy.