Federal Audit Service Bill has become the centre of a fresh political dispute after the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, challenged President Bola Tinubu to either comply with constitutional provisions by taking action on the legislation or resign from office. Atiku accused the President of undermining constitutional discipline and weakening institutional accountability by delaying action on the bill.
In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice President expressed concern that the President had yet to conclude action on the Federal Audit Service Bill months after it was transmitted by the National Assembly.
Atiku referenced Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which requires the President to either assent to a bill or formally withhold assent within 30 days of receiving it. According to him, the constitutional provision is mandatory and not optional.
“That provision is neither decorative nor discretionary. It is a constitutional command. The framers of our Constitution never envisaged a President who would simply sit on legislation indefinitely while governance drifts without certainty or accountability,” he stated.
Atiku noted that the Federal Audit Service Bill was introduced to modernise Nigeria’s public audit framework, strengthen the independence of the Auditor-General and improve oversight of government expenditure.
He argued that delaying action on legislation intended to promote transparency sends the wrong signal at a time when Nigerians are demanding stronger institutions and greater accountability in public administration.
According to him, neglecting institutional reforms creates conditions that encourage governance failures.
“Every major scandal begins with a smaller act of institutional neglect. It begins when constitutional provisions are treated as optional, when oversight institutions are weakened and when those entrusted with enforcing the law become comfortable operating outside its clear boundaries,” he said.
The ADC presidential candidate linked his concerns to the recent controversy surrounding the alleged Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
While acknowledging that investigations and legal processes are ongoing, Atiku argued that the episode exposed weaknesses in institutional safeguards, conflicting official narratives and declining public confidence in government processes.
He maintained that failure to respect constitutional timelines and strengthen oversight institutions could contribute to future governance controversies.
“If constitutional timelines can be ignored without consequence, if accountability legislation can remain unattended beyond the period contemplated by the Constitution, and if institutions responsible for safeguarding public resources are denied the reforms they require, then no Nigerian should be surprised when controversies emerge over public institutions, government approvals and official processes.”
Atiku further warned that disregarding one constitutional obligation weakens respect for the country’s broader constitutional framework.
He subsequently gave President Tinubu a seven-day ultimatum to fulfil the obligation imposed under Section 58(4) of the Constitution.
According to the statement, the President should either grant assent to the Federal Audit Service Bill or formally communicate to the National Assembly and Nigerians his reasons for withholding assent.
The former Vice President added that if neither action is taken within the stipulated period, President Tinubu should voluntarily resign from office.
