ABUJA, Nigeria — Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticized President Bola Tinubu for delaying assent to the Federal Audit Service Bill, warning that the continued inaction constitutes a constitutional violation and undermines efforts to strengthen public financial accountability.
Atiku, who was the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election, expressed his concerns in a statement on Friday, describing the delay as a setback for the fight against corruption and the promotion of transparency in government.
The Federal Audit Service Bill, which seeks to grant operational and financial autonomy to the Office of the Auditor-General of the Federation, was passed by the National Assembly in March 2026 and transmitted to the President for assent. The bill is aimed at strengthening the audit function and ensuring that public funds are managed in a transparent and accountable manner.
Atiku noted that the delay in signing the bill has left the audit office vulnerable to executive interference, limiting its capacity to carry out independent audits of government ministries, departments, and agencies. He warned that this could lead to further erosion of public trust in the government’s commitment to fiscal discipline and accountability.
The former vice president called on the President to urgently sign the bill into law and to demonstrate his administration’s commitment to the fight against corruption. He also urged the National Assembly to take appropriate action if the President fails to assent to the bill within the constitutional timeframe.
The Federal Audit Service Bill has been widely supported by civil society organisations and anti-corruption advocates, who have described it as a critical piece of legislation for strengthening public financial management. The bill also aligns with the government’s own policy objectives under the National Anti-Corruption Strategy.
Efforts to get a response from the Presidency were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report. However, the delay in signing the bill has sparked concerns among stakeholders who fear that the government may be backtracking on its reform commitments. As the debate continues, Atiku’s criticism has highlighted the importance of the bill in the fight against corruption and the need for the President to act swiftly to address the concerns raised.
