Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticized President Bola Tinubu’s administration following the allocation of ₦22.15bn For Traditional Rulers’ Palaces in the 2026 Appropriation Act. In a statement released on Thursday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that the Federal Government lacks any constitutional backing to fund palace construction and renovation, describing the ₦22.15 billion disbursement across 106 traditional locations as an illegal and unconstitutional strain on public funds.
Key Highlights
- Constitutional Breach: Atiku argues the 1999 Constitution places traditional institutions exclusively under the jurisdiction of state and local governments, making federal funding illegal.
- Lack of Transparency: The ₦22.15 billion allocation covers 106 palaces, but the administration has failed to disclose beneficiary details, precise locations, or procurement breakdowns.
- Risk of “Paper Projects”: The opposition leader warned that the secrecy surrounding these funds raises fears that some renovations exist only on paper, shortchanging legitimate traditional institutions.
- Call for Immediate Disclosure: Atiku demanded that the Presidency, Budget Office, and relevant MDAs publish a comprehensive, line-item breakdown of the palace spending.
Constitutional Mandate and Jurisdictional Overreach
According to Atiku, the 1999 Constitution clearly assigns matters relating to traditional institutions to state and local governments rather than the central government. He maintained that President Tinubu, having sworn an oath to preserve and protect the Constitution, cannot use the annual Appropriation Act to usurp powers or responsibilities not granted to the federal level.
“The Constitution does not empower the Federal Government to construct or renovate palaces for traditional rulers. Such responsibilities lie with state governments under their respective laws,” Atiku stated.
The former vice president openly questioned the legal framework under which the Federal Government approved the expenditure, demanding to know the exact constitutional provision justifying the multi-billion naira disbursement.
Opaque Allocations and Accountability Concerns
Further driving his critique, Atiku lambasted the executive branch for withholding vital public records on the allocation. He noted that the government’s failure to identify the 106 beneficiary monarchs, the specific palace locations, and the corresponding cost estimates creates a severe transparency deficit.
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According to the ADC candidate, the secrecy shrouding these budgetary items creates legitimate suspicion that some proposed palace renovations may be “ghost projects”—existing purely on paper while intended royal beneficiaries remain entirely unaware of allocations claimed in their names.
Stressing that a national budget must function as a document of high moral and constitutional integrity, Atiku cautioned against using respected traditional leaders as shielding mechanisms to cover questionable spending items.
Demands for Full Public Disclosure
To restore public trust, Atiku formally called on the Presidency, the Budget Office of the Federation, and relevant Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs) to immediately publish:
The comprehensive list of all 106 traditional palaces selected.
The specific geographic locations and regional distributions.
Exact monetary breakdowns assigned to each project.
The explicit constitutional authority relied upon for the expenditure.
Complete procurement and contracting details.
The scathing review adds to a widening political debate over the implementation and oversight of the 2026 federal budget, as opposition parties continue to challenge spending choices under the Tinubu administration amid ongoing economic pressures facing everyday citizens.
