Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised President Bola Tinubu over the allocation of ₦22.15 billion for the construction and renovation of 106 traditional rulers’ palaces in the 2026 Appropriation Act, describing the expenditure as unconstitutional.
Drivetvnews gathered In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku argued that the Nigerian Constitution does not empower the Federal Government to fund or manage traditional institutions, insisting that such responsibilities belong to state and local governments.
According to him, the Constitution only recognises traditional institutions in relation to state governments through the establishment of Councils of Chiefs, making the federal allocation a violation of constitutional provisions.
Atiku questioned the legal basis for the expenditure, asking which section of the Constitution authorises the Federal Government to spend public funds on palace projects.
He also criticised the lack of transparency surrounding the allocation, noting that the government had not disclosed the identities of the traditional rulers involved, the locations of the projects, or how the funds would be distributed.
The former vice president warned that the secrecy surrounding the projects raises concerns that the allocations could become channels for corruption or exist only on paper without benefiting the intended communities.
While stressing that traditional rulers deserve respect and support, Atiku argued that they should not be used to justify what he described as constitutionally questionable spending.
He called on the Presidency, the Budget Office, and all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to immediately publish:
The list of the 106 palaces,
Their locations,
The amount allocated to each project,
The constitutional basis for the expenditure, and
The procurement process for awarding the contracts.
Atiku maintained that public funds must be spent within the limits of the Constitution, adding that the national budget should reflect transparency, accountability, and adherence to the rule of law.
