Nigeria: ADC to Tinubu - 'Explain Your Campaign Spokesperson's Claim That Ministers Paid for Appointments'

What the report says

The African Democratic Congress presidential campaign council has asked President Bola Tinubu to respond to allegations that some ministers paid to secure appointments. The demand, reported by Premium Times and distributed by AllAfrica, came in a statement signed by the council’s director of media and publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, in Abuja on 28 October 2026.

The council said the claim was linked to comments made on a television programme by Alwan Hassan, described as a spokesperson associated with Tinubu’s campaign. It urged Tinubu to clarify whether he knew about the remarks, whether any inquiry had begun, and what steps his administration planned to take. The ADC also pressed Hassan to name the ministers involved, say how much was allegedly paid, and identify who received the money.

The statement called for the EFCC and ICPC to examine any evidence connected to the allegation, and it suggested the National Assembly could hold a public inquiry. The council said the issue mattered because ministerial jobs are public trust positions, not transactions, and argued that any proven payments would raise concerns about merit, accountability and whether officials are serving the public interest.

According to the report, Hassan made the remarks on ARISE Television on 22 October while defending Tinubu’s control over government spending. He did not provide names or evidence, and later said the practice was not unique to the current administration. The article also noted that Atiku Abubakar had previously called on Tinubu to identify those allegedly involved.