Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of concealing trillions of naira in the 2026 federal budget through the Service-Wide Vote (SWV), calling for greater transparency and accountability.

In a statement issued on Monday by his spokesman, Phrank Shaibu, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate claimed the SWV increased from ₦638 billion in 2025 to ₦12.8 trillion in 2026, representing a rise of about 1,918 per cent.

Atiku described the increase as one of the most significant examples of fiscal opacity in Nigeria’s democratic history.

He questioned a ₦2.19 trillion personnel allocation under the Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, contrasting it with the ₦54.8 billion budgeted for personnel costs at 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?” he asked.

According to Atiku, the amount provided under the Service-Wide Vote exceeds the combined allocations for education, defence and agriculture, raising concerns about the purpose of the funds.

He argued that unless the government provides a full explanation, Nigerians may suspect the money is intended to finance the ruling party’s political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The former Vice President urged the National Assembly to conduct a comprehensive, line-by-line investigation of the Service-Wide Vote, particularly the ₦2.19 trillion personnel allocation, and compel the government to disclose the beneficiaries and legal basis for the expenditure.

“It is time to open the books, expose the truth and restore integrity to Nigeria’s budgeting process,” he said.