Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has issued President Bola Tinubu a seven-day ultimatum to either sign the Federal Audit Service Bill into law or formally communicate to the National Assembly his reasons for withholding assent, warning that failure to do so should compel the president to resign.
Atiku accused President Tinubu of breaching the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) by failing to take action on the bill within the constitutional timeframe, arguing that the continued delay undermines democratic governance, accountability and respect for the rule of law.
The position was contained in a statement released on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
According to the former vice president, the bill has remained unattended to several months after it was transmitted to the president by the National Assembly, despite constitutional provisions that clearly stipulate the timeframe within which presidential action must be taken.
“Nigerians deserve clarity, not silence. The constitution neither authorises executive inaction nor contemplates indefinite presidential delay. Continued failure to act only reinforces public concern that constitutional obligations are increasingly being subordinated to executive convenience,” the statement said.
Atiku relied on Section 58(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), which requires the president to either assent to or withhold assent from any bill forwarded by the National Assembly within 30 days of receiving it.
He argued that the constitutional provision is mandatory and leaves no room for indefinite delays.
“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.
The former vice president described the Federal Audit Service Bill as a critical piece of legislation aimed at strengthening the independence of the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, modernising Nigeria’s public auditing framework and enhancing transparency in the management of public finances.
According to him, delaying action on such legislation sends an unfavourable message at a time when Nigerians are demanding stronger institutions and greater accountability in public administration.
Atiku further alleged that the president’s handling of the bill reflects what he described as a broader pattern of constitutional disregard by the current administration.
“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.
He also referenced the controversy surrounding the proposed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, arguing that the episode demonstrated the dangers of weak institutional safeguards and inconsistent official communication.
“The constitution is one indivisible covenant. A president who treats one constitutional obligation as optional inevitably weakens respect for every other constitutional safeguard. That is how impunity gradually becomes institutional culture and governance descends into perpetual crisis management rather than responsible leadership,” Atiku added.
The former vice president maintained that constitutional democracy can only thrive when leaders strictly comply with the law.
“The same constitution that confers enormous powers on the president also places clear obligations upon him. Executive authority is not a licence for constitutional indifference. A president who expects citizens to obey the law must himself be the foremost example of obedience to the constitution,” he stated.
Section 58 of the Constitution outlines the procedure for presidential assent to bills passed by the National Assembly.
Specifically, Section 58(4) requires the president to communicate assent or refusal within 30 days, while Section 58(5) empowers the National Assembly to override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority vote in both legislative chambers.
The Federal Audit Service Bill seeks to strengthen the operational and financial independence of the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, improve oversight of public spending and align Nigeria’s public audit system with internationally accepted standards.
As of the time this report was filed, the Presidency had not issued any official response to Atiku Abubakar’s latest remarks.
