Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar has called on President Bola Tinubu to investigate allegations that some ministers paid billions of naira to secure their appointments.
Atiku made the demand following controversial remarks by Alwan Hassan, a spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council.
Hassan alleged that certain ministers paid substantial sums to obtain political appointments and subsequently sought to recover the money after assuming office.
The allegation has sparked fresh questions about transparency and accountability in Nigeria’s ministerial appointment process.
Atiku Challenges Tinubu Over Bribery Allegations
Reacting in a post on X on Friday, October 23, Atiku challenged the president to identify those who allegedly received payments from political appointees.
He questioned the integrity of the appointment process and demanded greater transparency from the administration.
The former vice-president also criticised the government’s economic policies, arguing that Nigerians were suffering from rising living costs.
Atiku suggested that the allegations deserved a formal investigation rather than political silence.
How the Ministerial Appointment Controversy Began
Hassan made the controversial remarks during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Thursday.
While defending Tinubu’s direct supervision of government revenue and expenditure, he alleged that some political appointees considered their positions financial investments.
According to Hassan, individuals who allegedly spend heavily to obtain appointments may become more concerned about recovering their money than fulfilling their responsibilities.
However, he maintained that the alleged practice was not limited to the current APC administration.
He claimed that similar conduct had occurred under previous governments.
Calls for Accountability Intensify
The controversy has renewed scrutiny of the processes through which individuals secure ministerial appointments in Nigeria.
Hassan did not publicly identify any minister who allegedly paid for an appointment or provide documentary evidence supporting his claims.
His statements therefore remain allegations rather than established findings of corruption.
Atiku’s intervention has increased pressure for clarification about the alleged payments and whether any investigation will follow.
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