Billions in Bribes: How Political Appointees Allegedly Secured Positions in Tinubu’s Government
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to explain allegations that some ministers paid billions of naira to secure appointments into his administration.
Atiku made the demand after Alwan Hassan, a spokesperson for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, claimed that some ministers paid huge sums to obtain appointments and later attempted to recover the money after taking office.
Reacting to the allegation on Friday, Atiku questioned the identity of those who allegedly collected the payments, saying Nigerians deserved transparency on the matter.
“Bola @officialABAT, your campaign spokesman has admitted that ministers paid billions in bribes to secure their appointments. You appointed them, so who received the money? Nigerians deserve names, not silence,” he stated in a post on X.
The former vice president also accused the Tinubu administration of worsening the country’s cost-of-living crisis through its policies.
He further questioned the alleged decision to withhold funds from ministries because of distrust in ministers, arguing that ordinary Nigerians were bearing the consequences of the government’s actions.
“Your government’s reckless decisions have driven the cost-of-living crisis. And when you withhold funds from ministries because you distrust your own ministers, Nigerians are left paying for a government that has abandoned them,” Atiku added.
Hassan had made the controversial remarks during an interview on Arise News on Thursday, where he defended Tinubu’s performance ahead of the 2027 general election.
The APC campaign spokesperson alleged that some ministers pay billions of naira to secure appointments, making the recovery of the money their priority once they assume office.
“A lot of ministers pay billions to be appointed, and the first thing they think of is how to recoup that money after being appointed,” he said.
Hassan also argued that the alleged practice was not peculiar to the APC, claiming that it existed before the party assumed power.
“It is the truth about our country and not just APC ministers; it started before the APC,” he added.
Despite making the allegations, Hassan did not disclose the names of the ministers allegedly involved or identify those who purportedly received the money.
He also used the interview to defend the Tinubu administration, citing government efforts in the electricity and education sectors, including funding for electricity meters and the renovation of primary schools and classrooms.
The exchange has sparked fresh questions about the allegations of financial inducements in ministerial appointments and the possible implications for public accountability.
