CONTROVERSY ROCKS TINUBU’S CAMP AS APC SPOKESMAN ALLEGES MINISTERS PAID BILLIONS FOR APPOINTMENTS

By NaijaParrot | October 23, 2026 

 ABUJA, NIGERIA — A fresh controversy has emerged within Nigeria’s political landscape after Alwan Hassan, a spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, alleged that some ministers pay billions of naira to secure government appointments and subsequently seek to recover the money after assuming office. 

 Hassan made the allegation during an interview on ARISE News on Thursday, October 22, while defending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s approach to managing public expenditure and responding to questions about budget implementation. 

 The remarks have raised questions about the integrity of political appointments, the management of public funds and the measures in place to prevent corruption within government.

During the interview, Hassan alleged that some individuals spend enormous sums to obtain ministerial positions before turning their attention to recovering their alleged investments.

“A lot of ministers pay billions and billions, and you know, to get themselves appointed, the first thing they think of is how to recoup that money,” Hassan said. 

 When challenged over whether his statement implicated ministers serving under the current administration, he maintained that the alleged practice was not limited to the APC government. 

 He described it as a longstanding problem in Nigeria’s political system, arguing that concerns about corruption among ministers had persisted under successive administrations. However, Hassan did not identify any minister who allegedly made such payments, name the individuals who supposedly received the money or present publicly reported documentary evidence to substantiate his claim. 

 Consequently, the allegation remains unverified and should not be treated as proof of wrongdoing by any particular government official. 

 The allegation has brought renewed attention to the process through which individuals secure appointments into strategic government positions. Under Nigeria’s constitutional framework, the President appoints ministers, subject to confirmation by the Senate. 

The process is intended to provide an avenue for assessing nominees before they assume public office. Hassan’s remarks have nevertheless raised questions about whether financial inducements could influence political appointments and, if so, whether any individuals involved could be held accountable.

 If credible evidence emerges that money was exchanged to secure public office, the matter could warrant investigation by the appropriate anti-corruption authorities. For now, no specific minister has been publicly identified in connection with the allegation made during the interview.

  Hassan made the remarks while praising Tinubu’s direct involvement in overseeing government revenue and expenditure. He argued that the President’s hands-on approach to public spending was necessary to prevent the misuse of government resources.

 The campaign spokesperson also questioned the effectiveness of leaving budget implementation entirely to ministers, suggesting that closer presidential oversight could help protect public funds. His comments have, however, raised a separate question: whether restricting access to public funds is an adequate response to suspected corruption or whether allegations involving public officials should instead be investigated through established accountability mechanisms.  

The specific claim that expenditure controls were introduced to prevent ministers from recovering money allegedly spent on appointments has not been independently established.  

The controversy has intensified calls for clarity over the claims, particularly because they concern people entrusted with managing public resources. Key questions remain unanswered: Which ministers allegedly paid the money? Who received it? What evidence supports the allegation? And will the relevant authorities investigate the claims? 

 Hassan’s position within the APC Presidential Campaign Council makes the remarks particularly significant, although his statement should not automatically be interpreted as an official finding or an admission by the Presidency. 

 The appropriate response would be to establish the facts, identify any evidence available and allow the relevant authorities to determine whether an offence occurred. 

 Beyond the immediate controversy, the allegation has renewed public discussion about political patronage, corruption and accountability in Nigeria. 

 Government appointments carry significant responsibilities because ministers oversee public institutions, implement policies and manage resources intended to serve citizens. Any credible allegation that appointments are being secured through improper payments deserves serious scrutiny, regardless of the political party involved. 

 Until evidence is presented and the claims are properly investigated, however, the allegations remain unproven. The controversy now places the focus on whether Hassan can substantiate his claims and whether the APC campaign leadership or the Presidency will provide further clarification. 

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