Atiku issues seven-day ultimatum to Tinubu to sign audit bill

By Taiwo Scholarstica

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has issued a seven-day ultimatum to President Bola Tinubu, demanding that he either sign the Federal Audit Service Bill into law or formally notify the National Assembly of his reasons for withholding assent, in line with constitutional provisions.

Atiku warned that if the president fails to take either action within the stipulated period, he should resign from office.

In a statement released on Friday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president accused Tinubu of breaching the 1999 Constitution (as amended) by failing to act on the bill within the timeframe prescribed by law.

He argued that the prolonged delay weakens democratic governance and erodes public confidence in constitutional accountability.

The statement noted that Nigerians deserve clarity rather than silence, as the constitution neither authorizes executive inaction nor contemplates indefinite presidential delays, which only reinforce concerns that constitutional obligations are being subordinated to executive convenience.

Atiku cited Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which requires the president to either assent to or reject any bill presented to him within 30 days.

He stated that this provision is a constitutional command rather than a discretionary option, noting that the framers of the constitution never envisaged a president who would sit on legislation indefinitely while governance drifts without certainty or accountability.

The Federal Audit Service Bill is designed to strengthen the independence of the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, modernize Nigeria’s public audit system, and improve oversight of government spending.

According to Atiku, delaying action on a bill intended to promote transparency sends the wrong message at a time when Nigerians are calling for stronger institutions and better management of public resources.

He further alleged that the president’s inaction reflects a broader pattern of disregard for constitutional responsibilities by the current administration.

The former vice president also referred to the controversy surrounding the proposed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, arguing that it demonstrated the dangers of weak institutional safeguards and inconsistent government communication.

Atiku maintained that constitutional democracy cannot thrive where public officials choose which laws to obey, emphasizing that executive authority is not a license for constitutional indifference.

Section 58 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) provides that the president must signify assent or withhold assent to any bill passed by the National Assembly within 30 days of receiving it. Where assent is withheld, Section 58(5) empowers the National Assembly to override the decision with a two-thirds majority vote in both chambers.

The Federal Audit Service Bill seeks to reform Nigeria’s public audit framework by strengthening the institutional and financial independence of the Office of the Auditor-General, enhancing oversight of public expenditure, and aligning the country’s audit practices with international standards.