Atiku Abubakar issues ultimatum to President Tinubu over Federal Audit Service Bill

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has given President Bola Tinubu a seven-day ultimatum to either sign the Federal Audit Service Bill into law or formally inform the National Assembly of his reasons for withholding assent. Atiku stated that failure to do so should lead to the President's resignation, accusing Tinubu of violating the 1999 Constitution by not acting on the bill within the legally prescribed period. He emphasized that continued inaction undermines democratic governance and public accountability. Atiku, through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, highlighted that the President's delay in assenting to or rejecting the bill, months after its transmission by the National Assembly, disregards the Constitution. Citing Section 584 of the 1999 Constitution, Atiku noted that the President is required to signify assent or withhold assent within 30 days of receiving a bill. The Federal Audit Service Bill aims to strengthen the independence of the Office of the Auditor-General, modernize Nigeria’s public audit system, and improve oversight of government spending. Atiku alleged that the President’s inaction reflects a broader pattern of constitutional disregard and warned that selective obedience to the law weakens institutional safeguards. The presidency had not responded to Atiku’s comments at the time of reporting.