Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the allocation of ₦22.15 billion in the 2026 Appropriation Act for the construction and renovation of 106 traditional rulers’ palaces, describing the expenditure as unconstitutional and a potential avenue for corruption.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that the Federal Government has no constitutional authority to finance projects involving traditional institutions, insisting that such responsibilities belong exclusively to state and local governments.
According to Atiku, the 1999 Constitution clearly outlines the responsibilities of each level of government and does not empower the Federal Government to build or renovate royal palaces.
He maintained that President Tinubu, having sworn to uphold the Constitution, cannot expand federal powers through the Appropriation Act.
“The Constitution is clear. Traditional institutions fall under the jurisdiction of state and local governments, not the Federal Government. The President cannot use the budget to assume responsibilities that the Constitution does not assign to his office,” the statement said.
The former vice president questioned the legal basis for the allocation, asking under which constitutional provision the Federal Government could justify spending over ₦22 billion on palace projects.
He noted that the Constitution only references traditional institutions in relation to state governments through Councils of Chiefs, which serve advisory roles on chieftaincy and customary law matters. Beyond that, he argued, the creation, administration and funding of traditional institutions remain the responsibility of individual states.
Atiku also faulted the Federal Government for failing to disclose the identities of the beneficiaries, the locations of the projects and the amount allocated to each palace.
He warned that the lack of transparency raises concerns that the projects may exist only on paper, creating opportunities for financial mismanagement.
According to him, a national budget should reflect both constitutional compliance and prudent governance, stressing that traditional rulers should not be used to justify questionable public spending.
He called on the Presidency, the Budget Office and relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to publish the full list of the 106 palace projects, including their locations, individual allocations, constitutional justification and procurement details.
Atiku further stated that public funds must be managed transparently and in accordance with the law, insisting that the national treasury should not be treated as a private reserve or used to fund projects outside the constitutional mandate of the Federal Government.
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