How Ministers, Appointees Allegedly Paid Billions in Bribes to Secure Appointments in Tinubu’s Government
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Tinubu to disclose the identities of individuals who allegedly received billions of naira in bribes from ministers seeking appointments into his administration.
Atiku’s challenge followed allegations by Alwan Hassan, a spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, that some ministers allegedly paid billions of naira to secure appointments and later sought to recover the money after assuming office.
In a post on his X handle on Friday, the former vice president questioned who received the alleged payments, insisting that Nigerians deserved answers from the president.
“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,” Atiku wrote.
He also criticised the Tinubu administration over the rising cost of living, accusing the government of implementing policies that have worsened economic hardship across the country.
Atiku further alleged that the withholding of funds from ministries due to a lack of trust in ministers had contributed to the challenges facing Nigerians.
“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,” he added.
Hassan made the allegations during an interview on Arise News on Thursday while defending the Tinubu administration’s performance ahead of the 2027 general election.
According to him, some ministers allegedly pay billions of naira to secure appointments and subsequently focus on recovering their investments after assuming 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,” Hassan said.
He maintained that the alleged practice predated the APC administration, arguing that it was not limited to ministers serving under Tinubu.
“It is the truth about our country and not just APC ministers; it started before the APC,” he added.
However, Hassan did not identify any minister who allegedly paid for an appointment or name the individuals who purportedly received the money.
During the interview, the APC campaign spokesperson also highlighted the administration’s initiatives in the power and education sectors, including funding for electricity meters and the renovation of primary schools and classrooms, as evidence of its achievements ahead of the 2027 elections.
Atiku’s response has renewed public attention on the allegations, particularly the question of who allegedly received the payments and whether evidence exists to support the claims.
As of the time of the report, no names of the alleged payers or recipients, or further details of the purported transactions, had been provided in the statements cited.
