Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has questioned the Federal Government over the sharp increase in the Service-Wide Vote (SWV) in the 2026 budget, calling for a detailed explanation of the N12.8 trillion allocation.
In a statement issued on Monday by his spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku alleged that the SWV, a discretionary budget provision, rose from N638 billion in 2025 to N12.8 trillion in the 2026 fiscal plan, describing the increase as alarming and lacking transparency.
According to him, the allocation is linked to just 10 ministries, departments and agencies, which he said account for about 84 per cent of the entire federal budget.
The former vice president particularly questioned the N2.19 trillion earmarked as personnel costs under the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, arguing that the amount far exceeds the N54.8 billion allocated for salaries in the Federal Ministry of Finance.
“Who exactly are the workers earning ₦2.19 trillion? Where are they? What offices do they occupy? What agencies do they belong to?” Atiku asked.
He described the figures as inconsistent with sound budgeting, insisting that they raise serious concerns about accountability in public finance management.
Atiku also argued that the total amount set aside under the Service-Wide Vote surpasses the combined budgetary allocations to the education, defence and agriculture sectors.
He warned that unless the government provides a full explanation for the expenditure, Nigerians could suspect that the funds are intended to finance the ruling party’s political activities ahead of the 2027 general election.
“A government that asks citizens to endure hardship cannot at the same time hide trillions of naira under vague budget headings without eroding public confidence,” he said.
The former vice president urged the National Assembly to conduct a comprehensive, line-by-line investigation into the Service-Wide Vote, with particular attention to the N2.19 trillion personnel allocation.
“It is time to open the books, expose the truth and restore integrity to Nigeria’s budgeting process,” Atiku stated.
