Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has taken a swipe at President Bola Tinubu over the alleged allocation of ₦22.15 billion in the proposed 2026 budget for the construction and renovation of 106 palaces across Nigeria.
The former vice president, through a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, questioned the legality of the proposed expenditure, arguing that the Federal Government has no constitutional responsibility for funding traditional institutions.
According to Atiku, the 1999 Constitution clearly outlines the responsibilities of the different tiers of government and does not empower the Federal Government to build or renovate palaces.
“The 1999 Constitution (as amended) is clear on the distribution of governmental responsibilities and does not confer on the Federal Government the responsibility for constructing or renovating palaces belonging to traditional institutions,” the statement read.
He further argued that President Tinubu’s constitutional duty is to uphold the Constitution, not reinterpret it through budgetary allocations.
“President Tinubu swore an oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, not to amend it through the Appropriation Act.”
Atiku maintained that issues relating to traditional institutions fall under the jurisdiction of state and local governments, insisting that federal funds should not be used for responsibilities assigned elsewhere.
He also challenged the legal basis for the proposed spending, asking: “Under which provision of the Constitution is the Federal Government appropriating ₦22.15 billion from the Federation Account for the construction and renovation of 106 palaces? Which Constitution is President Tinubu operating?”
The former vice president stressed that the Constitution does not assign the Federal Government any executive role over traditional institutions.
“The constitutional position is unmistakable. The 1999 Constitution did not establish, fund or assign any executive responsibility over traditional institutions to the Federal Government.”
Atiku added that the Constitution only mentions traditional institutions in relation to states establishing Councils of Chiefs to advise governors on chieftaincy and customary law matters.
