By Ndudirim Sylvia Iloka
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed allegations by former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, that the 2026 Service-Wide Vote (SWV) was designed to finance President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election campaign.
In a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja, the ruling party described the allegation as unfounded, saying Atiku failed to provide any evidence to support the claim.
The APC explained that the Service-Wide Vote is a recognised budgetary provision used to fund government-wide obligations and unforeseen expenditures that may arise after the annual budget has been approved. According to the party, the mechanism is a standard feature of public finance in many countries and should not be mistaken for a discretionary or secret fund.
The party accused the former vice president of attempting to mislead Nigerians with what it described as speculative claims, insisting that the Tinubu administration has maintained transparency in its fiscal operations.
Defending the administration’s economic record, the APC highlighted programmes such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND), the implementation of the new national minimum wage, the Consumer Credit Scheme and the Presidential Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) Initiative as evidence of its commitment to improving the welfare of Nigerians.
The party also cited investments in infrastructure, healthcare and agriculture, expanded social support programmes for vulnerable households, efforts to boost industrialisation and job creation, as well as ongoing tax reforms aimed at simplifying the tax system and easing the burden on low-income earners.
Reaffirming its support for President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the APC said the administration remains focused on economic recovery, institutional reforms, infrastructure development and policies designed to improve the living standards of Nigerians.
The statement concluded by urging public figures to refrain from making allegations without credible evidence, stressing the need for constructive engagement on national issues.
