The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council has asked President Bola Tinubu to investigate an allegation that some ministers paid billions of naira to secure their appointments.
The ADC-PCC made the demand following a claim by All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council spokesperson, Alwan Hassan, during an interview on Arise TV.
Hassan had alleged that some ministers paid billions of naira to get appointed and were subsequently focused on recovering the money.
“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.
Reacting to the allegation, the ADC-PCC, through its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, said the claim was too serious to be ignored.
“An allegation of this magnitude cannot simply be ignored or dismissed without a transparent explanation,” the council said.
The council asked Tinubu to clarify whether he was aware of the alleged payments, whether any investigation had been launched and what action his administration planned to take.
It also challenged Hassan to provide evidence by identifying the ministers allegedly involved, the amounts purportedly paid and those who allegedly received the money.
The ADC-PCC further called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission to investigate any credible evidence of financial inducements linked to ministerial appointments.
The council said public appointments should be based on competence and integrity, rather than financial inducements.
“Public office is a responsibility, not a commercial transaction,” the ADC-PCC said.
It also urged the National Assembly to consider a public inquiry into the allegation and invite Hassan to explain his claims and present any supporting evidence.
