Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has described the Federal Government’s N22.15 billion allocation for the construction and renovation of 106 palaces in the 2026 Appropriation Act as unconstitutional, accusing President Bola Tinubu of attempting to assume powers not granted by the Nigerian Constitution.
The position was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by Atiku’s Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, in reaction to the palace projects captured in the 2026 budget.
According to Atiku, the 1999 Constitution does not assign the Federal Government responsibility for constructing or renovating palaces belonging to traditional institutions, insisting that such matters fall within the jurisdiction of state and local governments.
“President Tinubu swore an oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, not to amend it through the Appropriation Act. Traditional institutions are matters within the constitutional competence of state and local governments. A federal budget cannot lawfully be used to assume responsibilities that the Constitution has assigned elsewhere,” he said.
The former Vice President questioned the legal basis for the allocation, asking the Federal Government to explain the constitutional provision authorising the expenditure.
“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?” Atiku queried.
He argued that while the 1999 Constitution recognises traditional institutions through advisory councils established by states, it does not empower the Federal Government to fund or administer palaces.
Atiku
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