Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to take a definitive position on the Federal Audit Service Bill within one week, saying the president should either sign the legislation into law or formally communicate his reasons for rejecting it to the National Assembly.
The former vice president warned that failing to do so would amount to a breach of constitutional responsibility and argued that the president should vacate office if he continues to ignore the matter.
In a statement released on Friday through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku accused Tinubu of failing to comply with the constitutional requirement for handling bills transmitted by the National Assembly.
He said prolonged silence on the legislation erodes transparency and weakens democratic institutions.
“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 noted that Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution requires the president to either assent to or decline a bill within 30 days of receiving it.
“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.
According to him, the Federal Audit Service Bill is designed to strengthen the Office of the Auditor General for the Federation, improve oversight of public funds and enhance accountability in government.
He argued that withholding action on the bill raises concerns about the administration’s commitment to transparency and constitutional governance.
“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 added.
Atiku also referred to the controversy surrounding the proposed Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council, saying it underscored the consequences of weak institutional safeguards.
“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,” he said.
He maintained that the rule of law requires leaders to obey the same Constitution they are sworn to uphold.
“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.
The Presidency had not issued any official response to Atiku’s remarks as of the time the report was filed.