Morka to Atiku: Service-Wide Vote Is Not a Secret Campaign Fund
E-ISSN: 2354-4481
By Grace Chidimma Ibe
ABUJA — 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 Government's budget was designed to finance President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's 2027 re-election campaign.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, described Atiku's allegation as "baseless, mischievous and misleading," insisting that the former Vice President failed to provide any evidence to support his claims.
Morka argued that the Service-Wide Vote is a long-established budgetary provision used to accommodate government-wide obligations and unforeseen expenditures that may arise after the annual budget has been approved.
According to him, the budgetary provision is a recognised public finance mechanism employed in many democratic countries and should not be mistaken for a secret or illegal fund.
The APC spokesman further accused Atiku of attempting to distract Nigerians from what he described as the achievements of the Tinubu administration, maintaining that the current government remains committed to fiscal discipline and transparency.
He also criticised the former Vice President over his record in public office, alleging that Atiku's criticisms were influenced by his past experience in government.
Highlighting the administration's programmes, Morka cited the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), implementation of the new national minimum wage, the Consumer Credit Scheme, the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative, investments in infrastructure, healthcare and agriculture, as well as ongoing tax reforms, as evidence of prudent management of public resources.
He reiterated that the APC-led Federal Government remains focused on implementing the Renewed Hope Agenda aimed at rebuilding the economy, strengthening institutions and improving citizens' welfare.
The latest exchange follows criticism by Atiku Abubakar over the Federal Government's 2026 budget, in which he questioned the size and purpose of the Service-Wide Vote, alleging it could be used to support President Tinubu's expected 2027 re-election bid.
The Service-Wide Vote is a budgetary provision traditionally included in Nigeria's annual appropriation to fund unforeseen government obligations and centrally managed expenditures that may arise during budget implementation.
The issue has generated public debate, with opposition figures calling for greater transparency in the management of contingency funds, while government officials insist the provision complies with established public finance practices and is subject to legislative oversight.
Political observers say the disagreement reflects growing political tension ahead of the 2027 general elections, with both the ruling APC and opposition parties intensifying scrutiny of government policies and spending.
Several political commentators have argued that the controversy underscores the need for greater transparency in the management and utilisation of Service-Wide Vote allocations to strengthen public confidence in government finances.
Supporters of the APC maintain that the opposition has yet to provide concrete evidence to substantiate claims that the fund could be diverted for political purposes.
On the other hand, opposition voices have continued to call for detailed public disclosures on how Service-Wide Vote allocations are spent, insisting that accountability remains essential regardless of existing budgetary procedures.
