The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has given President Bola Tinubu a seven-day ultimatum to either sign the Federal Audit Service Bill into law or resign from office.
Atiku accused the President of failing to comply with constitutional provisions by not acting on the bill after it was transmitted by the National Assembly.
In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice President said Tinubu must either approve the bill or formally notify the National Assembly that he is withholding assent.
According to Atiku, the President cannot leave legislation passed by the National Assembly without a decision indefinitely.
He argued that the continued delay in acting on the bill raises concerns about the administration’s commitment to the rule of law, constitutional responsibility, and transparency in the management of public funds.
Atiku Cites Constitutional Provision
Atiku referred to Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which states:
“Where a Bill is presented to the President for assent, he shall within thirty days thereof signify that he assents or that he withholds assent.”
He said the constitutional provision places a clear obligation on the President.
“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 said.
According to Atiku, constitutional timelines exist to ensure certainty in governance and to hold public officials accountable.
He explained that the Federal Audit Service Bill is designed to modernise Nigeria’s audit system, strengthen the independence of the Auditor-General, and improve oversight of public spending.
The former Vice President warned that delaying legislation intended to strengthen accountability institutions sends the wrong message, especially at a time when Nigerians are demanding greater transparency in government.
He added that institutional problems often begin when constitutional safeguards are ignored and oversight agencies are denied the legal backing needed to perform their duties effectively.
“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,” Atiku said.
He maintained that a government’s respect for the Constitution should be judged by its willingness to obey the law, even when doing so may be politically inconvenient.
Links Delay To PFIPC Controversy
Atiku also linked the delay in signing the bill to the recent controversy surrounding the Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).
He said that regardless of the outcome of ongoing investigations into the matter, the controversy had exposed the dangers of weak institutions, conflicting official accounts, and declining public confidence in government processes.
“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,” he said.
According to him, treating one constitutional responsibility as optional could gradually weaken respect for other constitutional safeguards.
He stressed that strong institutions are essential for ensuring transparency in public spending, government approvals, and official processes.
Seven-Day Ultimatum
Atiku gave the President seven days to comply with what he described as his constitutional duty under Section 58(4) of the Constitution.
He demanded that Tinubu either sign the Federal Audit Service Bill into law or officially inform the National Assembly and Nigerians of his reasons for withholding assent.
The former Vice President warned that if the President fails to take either step within the seven-day period, he should voluntarily resign from office.
According to Atiku, the Presidency must demonstrate respect for constitutional timelines and accountability institutions, adding that continued silence on the bill is inconsistent with the responsibilities of the office.
