Former Vice-President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the allocation of N22.15 billion in the 2026 budget for the construction and renovation of 106 palaces for traditional rulers.
Atiku, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, described the allocation as a constitutional aberration, arguing that the Federal Government lacks the constitutional mandate to fund the construction or renovation of traditional rulers’ palaces.
He said the responsibility for traditional institutions falls within the purview of state and local governments, questioning the legal basis for the Federal Government to appropriate funds for such projects.
According to him, the 1999 Constitution only provides for states to establish councils of chiefs to advise governors on chieftaincy and customary law matters, without assigning the Federal Government executive responsibility for traditional institutions.
Atiku also raised concerns over the alleged failure of the government to disclose the names of the traditional rulers, locations of the palaces and details of the individual allocations.
He warned that the lack of transparency could create room for abuse and corruption, while calling on the Presidency, Budget Office and relevant ministries, departments and agencies to publish details of all 106 projects.
The former vice-president urged the government to disclose the amount allocated to each palace, the constitutional basis for the expenditure and the procurement process for executing the projects.
He maintained that the national budget should reflect clear priorities and accountability, insisting that traditional rulers should not be used to justify what he described as opaque and constitutionally questionable spending.
Atiku’s latest criticism adds to his broader scrutiny of the Tinubu administration’s 2026 budget, particularly allocations he considers lacking in transparency and accountability.
