Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar on Friday asked President Bola Tinubu to sign the Federal Audit Service Bill into law within seven days or formally notify the National Assembly that he is withholding assent, warning that failure to do either would amount to a violation of the Constitution.
The 2027 African Democratic Congress presidential candidate made the demand in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu.
He accused Tinubu of breaching the provisions of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) by failing to act on the bill within the period prescribed by law, warning that continued inaction could undermine public confidence in democratic governance and accountability.
“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 read in part.
Citing Section 58(4) of the Constitution, Atiku said the President was required to signify assent or withhold assent to any bill transmitted by the National Assembly within 30 days.
“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, delaying action on legislation intended to strengthen transparency and accountability sends the wrong signal at a time Nigerians are demanding stronger institutions and prudent management of public resources.
He alleged that the President’s failure to act reflected what he described as a broader pattern of disregard for constitutional provisions.
“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.
Atiku maintained that constitutional democracy could not thrive where leaders complied with the law selectively.
“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 added.
Section 58(4) of the Constitution requires the President to signify assent or withhold assent to a bill within 30 days of its presentation, while Section 58(5) empowers the National Assembly to override a presidential veto with a two-thirds majority of both chambers.
The Federal Audit Service Bill seeks to strengthen the independence of the Office of the Auditor-General for the Federation, modernise Nigeria’s public audit system and improve oversight of public expenditure.