The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has challenged President Bola Tinubu to address allegations that some ministers in his administration paid billions of naira to secure their appointments.
Politics Nigeria reports that the council was reacting to the claims made by one of the president’s campaign spokespersons, Alwan Hassan, during an interview on ARISE News.
Hassan alleged that some ministers spent huge sums of money to secure their positions and subsequently focused on recouping their investments rather than serving the public interest.
“Ministers pay billions and billions to get appointed, and then they think of recouping that money,” he said.
Reacting, the ADC-PCC said the allegations raised serious questions about the integrity of ministerial appointments, accountability in government and the selection of members of the Federal Executive Council.
In a statement released on Tuesday by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, the council said the allegation was particularly troubling because it was attributed to a figure associated with the president’s political camp.
The statement read, “If substantiated, such an allegation would represent a grave indictment of the process through which public offices are filled and the principles of public service. It is particularly troubling that the allegation is attributed to a figure associated with the President’s political camp.”
ADC-PCC insisted that Nigerians deserved a clear and unequivocal response from the Presidency, adding that “an allegation of this magnitude cannot simply be ignored or dismissed without a transparent explanation.”
According to the council, the allegation, if established, would suggest that ministerial appointments were being treated as private investments rather than positions of public trust.
It added, “It would also raise concerns about whether decisions affecting millions of Nigerians are being influenced by the personal financial interests of those entrusted with public responsibility.”
The council noted that the allegation came at a time when Nigerians were grappling with rising living costs, insecurity, pressure on household incomes and persistent economic difficulties.
It said, “At a time when Nigerians are grappling with rising living costs, insecurity, pressure on household incomes and persistent economic difficulties, the country cannot afford uncertainty over the integrity and priorities of those occupying its highest public offices.”
The ADC-PCC also questioned whether the administration’s much-publicised Renewed Hope Agenda was giving adequate attention to the interests of ordinary Nigerians.
Emphasising the importance of integrity in public service, the council stated, “Public office is a responsibility, not a commercial transaction. Ministerial appointments must be guided by competence, integrity and a commitment to national service—not by financial inducements or expectations of private returns.”
The ADC-PCC subsequently outlined four demands in response to the allegation.
First, it called on President Tinubu to address the nation and clarify whether he was aware of the allegation, whether any investigation had been initiated and what steps his administration intended to take.
Second, the council urged Hassan to publicly substantiate his reported claims by identifying the ministers allegedly involved, stating the amounts purportedly paid and naming those who received the money.
It also called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate any evidence of financial inducements connected to ministerial appointments.
The council insisted that anyone found culpable should face the full consequences of the law.
It further urged the National Assembly to consider a transparent public inquiry into the allegation, including inviting Hassan to clarify his reported remarks and provide any supporting evidence available to him.
The ADC-PCC stressed that its demands were not a substitute for evidence or due process, but necessary steps to establish the facts, protect public institutions and ensure that any wrongdoing was addressed in accordance with the law.
It maintained that Nigerians deserved a government in which public appointments were made in the national interest and public resources were managed for the benefit of citizens rather than to facilitate the recovery of private investments.
The council further warned that the president’s failure to respond adequately could deepen public concern.
“President Tinubu must respond to this allegation. Silence or an evasive response would only deepen public concern and leave critical questions unanswered,” the statement added.
As the country approaches the 2027 general election, the ADC-PCC urged Nigerians to scrutinise the records, policies and accountability of political leaders before making decisions about the country’s future.
The council also maintained that the presidential candidacy of former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar offered an alternative platform for discussions on governance, economic recovery, public accountability and national renewal.
