ADC Challenges Tinubu Over Alleged Payments for Ministerial Appointments, Demands Probe

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) has challenged President Bola Tinubu to respond to allegations that some ministers paid billions of naira to secure their appointments, calling for an investigation by anti-corruption agencies.

The council made the demand in a statement signed by its Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan, following remarks reportedly made by Alwan Hassan during an appearance on ARISE Television’s Prime Time programme.

According to the ADC-PCC, Hassan alleged that some ministers paid to obtain their positions and were subsequently seeking to recover the money before focusing on their responsibilities in government. The council asked Tinubu to clarify whether he was aware of the claims, whether an investigation had begun and what steps his administration intended to take.

The campaign council also challenged Hassan to identify the ministers allegedly involved, disclose the amounts purportedly paid and name the individuals who received the money. It argued that the claims required clarification because ministerial appointments should be based on competence, integrity and public service rather than financial inducements.

“Public office is a responsibility, not a commercial transaction. Ministerial appointments must be guided by competence, integrity and a commitment to national service—not by financial inducements or expectations of private returns,” the statement said.

The ADC-PCC called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate any evidence of payments connected to ministerial appointments.

It also urged the National Assembly to consider holding a public inquiry and inviting Hassan to explain his remarks and provide supporting evidence. The council said a thorough investigation would help establish the facts and determine whether any wrongdoing had occurred.

The controversy followed Hassan’s appearance on ARISE Television on Thursday, October 22, when he was reportedly defending Tinubu’s direct control over government expenditure. He allegedly claimed that some ministers paid billions of naira to secure appointments, while also arguing that the practice was not exclusive to the current administration and had existed under previous governments.

However, Hassan reportedly did not identify the ministers involved or provide evidence of the alleged payments in the remarks described by the source.

Former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar had also challenged Tinubu on October 23 to clarify the allegations and identify those who allegedly paid and received the money. The ADC-PCC’s latest intervention adds calls for formal investigations by anti-corruption agencies and a possible National Assembly inquiry.

The allegations remain unsubstantiated in the supplied report. The council said its demand for an investigation should not be interpreted as a presumption of guilt, but as a call for the claims to be examined and clarified.