Atiku questions the N22.15bn federal allocation for 106 traditional rulers’ palaces, demanding transparency and constitutional justification for the projects.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has questioned the legality of the Federal Government’s decision to earmark N22.15 billion for the construction and renovation of 106 palaces belonging to traditional rulers across the country.
Atiku, who is the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), argued that the Federal Government has no constitutional mandate to directly fund or execute projects involving the palaces of traditional institutions.
He described the allocation contained in the 2026 Appropriation Act as a serious constitutional concern, warning that the decision could create opportunities for the abuse of public funds if adequate transparency and accountability measures are not put in place.
The former vice president made his position known in a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
According to Atiku, the Nigerian Constitution clearly outlines the responsibilities assigned to the Federal, state and local governments. He maintained that the construction and renovation of traditional rulers’ palaces do not fall within the constitutional responsibilities of the Federal Government.
He consequently challenged President Bola Tinubu‘s administration to explain the legal basis for including the projects in the federal budget.
Atiku asked the government to identify the specific constitutional provision that empowers the Federal Government to withdraw N22.15 billion from public funds for the construction and renovation of 106 palaces.
He argued that the president’s constitutional responsibility is to protect and uphold the nation’s supreme law rather than use an annual Appropriation Act to expand the powers of the Federal Government beyond what is expressly provided in the Constitution.
“President Tinubu swore an oath to preserve, protect and defend the Constitution, not to amend it through the Appropriation Act,” Atiku said.
He further argued that matters relating to traditional institutions are largely handled at the state and local government levels, stressing that a federal budget should not be used to assume responsibilities outside the constitutional jurisdiction of the central government.
Atiku also referred to the 1999 Constitution’s provisions on traditional institutions, particularly the Third Schedule, Part II. He noted that the Constitution allows states to establish Councils of Chiefs that can advise state governors on matters relating to chieftaincy and customary law.
However, he said the provision does not confer executive responsibility for the administration or funding of traditional institutions on the Federal Government.
The ADC presidential candidate therefore maintained that state governments and their Houses of Assembly should remain responsible for issues concerning the establishment, administration and funding of traditional institutions within their respective jurisdictions.
He argued that the Federal Government cannot simply assume such responsibilities by inserting the projects into the national budget.
Beyond the constitutional argument, Atiku raised concerns over what he described as a lack of transparency surrounding the N22.15 billion allocation.
He questioned why the government had not publicly disclosed the names and locations of the 106 palaces expected to benefit from the projects.
According to him, Nigerians deserve to know which traditional rulers and communities are covered by the allocation, how much has been earmarked for each project and the specific work expected to be carried out.
Atiku warned that the absence of detailed information could raise questions about the credibility of the projects and create room for the misuse or diversion of public resources.
He said the government should not make broad budgetary provisions without providing sufficient information to allow citizens, civil society organisations and relevant oversight bodies to monitor how the funds are spent.
The former vice president further expressed concern that some of the projects could exist only as budgetary provisions without corresponding work being carried out on the ground.
He said the lack of transparency could also mean that some traditional rulers whose institutions were reportedly included in the allocation may not eventually benefit from the funds.
Atiku stressed that traditional rulers should not be placed at the centre of a controversy involving questionable public expenditure.
He said Nigeria’s royal fathers deserve respect and should not be presented as beneficiaries of opaque government spending arrangements.
“Our royal fathers deserve dignity and respect. They must not be used as unwilling instruments to legitimise opaque and constitutionally questionable budgetary allocations. If this administration truly respects the traditional institution, it should stop hiding behind it,” he said.
He subsequently called on the Presidency, the Budget Office of the Federation and all relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to provide full details of the projects.
Among other things, he demanded the publication of the complete list of the 106 palaces, their exact locations, the amount approved for each project and the constitutional basis upon which the Federal Government is undertaking the expenditure.
He also urged the government to disclose the procurement process through which contractors would be selected and the contracts awarded.
According to Atiku, making such information available would help Nigerians determine whether the projects are genuine, properly funded and being implemented in accordance with established procurement rules.
He maintained that the national budget should be treated as more than an annual financial document, arguing that it reflects the priorities of government and must therefore comply with the Constitution and principles of accountability.
Atiku also warned against using the Appropriation Act as a means of bypassing constitutional limitations.
“The national treasury is not a Bourdillon-based private vault, and the Appropriation Act is not a licence to suspend the Constitution,” he declared.
He added that no government could credibly claim to respect the rule of law while spending public money on projects it allegedly lacks the constitutional authority to execute and, at the same time, failing to disclose sufficient information about the intended beneficiaries and locations.
The criticism comes amid continued debate over the priorities of the 2026 federal budget and the allocation of public resources to various sectors and projects.
Atiku’s position is expected to further fuel discussions about the constitutional boundaries between the Federal Government and state authorities, particularly in areas involving traditional institutions and community development.
While traditional rulers continue to play important roles in maintaining cultural heritage, community leadership and social cohesion, Atiku’s argument is that government spending on their official residences must be carried out by the appropriate level of government and backed by clear legal authority.
He therefore urged the Tinubu administration to review the allocation, clarify its constitutional justification and provide Nigerians with comprehensive information about the projects before public funds are committed.
For Atiku, the central issue is not opposition to the development or renovation of traditional rulers’ palaces but the constitutional authority, transparency and accountability surrounding the use of federal funds for such purposes.
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