ADC, APM Demand Probe Over Alleged ‘Bought’ Ministerial Appointments

The African Democratic Congress Presidential Campaign Council (ADC-PCC) and the Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organization (MDPCO) on the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM) have demanded an impartial probe into an allegation that some ministers in President Bola Tinubu’s administration paid to safe their appointments.

The allegation was attributed to Alwan Hassan, a spokesperson for the Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council, who was reported to have acknowledged throughout a dwell tv programme that some ministers paid cash to safe their positions and had been now centered on recovering what they allegedly invested earlier than turning their consideration to governance.

Both marketing campaign organisations mentioned the declare raises critical questions in regards to the integrity of ministerial appointments and accountability in authorities.

The ADC-PCC challenged President Tinubu to answer the allegation, saying Nigerians deserve a transparent and unequivocal response from the Presidency.

“If substantiated, such an allegation would represent a grave indictment of the process through which public offices are filled and the principles of public service. It is particularly troubling that the allegation is attributed to a figure associated with the President’s political camp,” the ADC-PCC mentioned.

The council mentioned an allegation of this magnitude can’t merely be ignored or dismissed and not using a clear rationalization.

“The allegation, if established, would suggest that ministerial appointments were treated as private investments rather than positions of public trust. It would also raise concerns about whether decisions affecting millions of Nigerians are being influenced by the personal financial interests of those entrusted with public responsibility,” it mentioned.

“At a time when Nigerians are grappling with rising living costs, insecurity, pressure on household incomes and persistent economic difficulties, the country cannot afford uncertainty over the integrity and priorities of those occupying its highest public offices.”

The ADC-PCC mentioned the allegation raises basic questions in regards to the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda and whether or not the pursuits of abnormal Nigerians are receiving the eye they deserve.

“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,” it pressured.

The ADC listed its calls for to incorporate the President’s instant response on whether or not or not he’s conscious of the allegation, additional clarification from Alwan Hassan, an impartial investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and for the National Assembly to contemplate a clear public inquiry into the allegation, together with inviting Hassan to make clear his reported remarks and supply any supporting proof.

The ADC-PCC mentioned the calls for are usually not an alternative to proof or due course of, however vital steps to determine the info, defend the integrity of public establishments and guarantee any wrongdoing is addressed in accordance with the regulation.

“President Tinubu must respond to this allegation. Silence or an evasive response would only deepen public concern and leave critical questions unanswered,” the assertion signed by Kola Ologbondiyan, Director, Media and Publicity of the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, mentioned.

On its half, the MDPCO additionally known as on anti-corruption companies to start an impartial investigation, predicating its demand on what it described because the disquieting silence of the Tinubu Presidency 5 days after the revelation was made on nationwide TV.

“Mr. President’s silence validates public apprehension that either he is not in control or he sits in approval of a corrupt and fraudulent system where public offices are reduced to commodities sold to the highest bidders with devastating consequences on governance, the welfare of Nigerians and the image of our nation,” the MDPCO mentioned.

It mentioned the President’s failure to handle the revelation exposes what it known as an alarming condoning of corruption.

“Is the President’s silence at a time when millions of Nigerians are seeking answers and making sacrifices to survive the biting economic hardship and worsening insecurity occasioned by his misrule not akin to daring the citizens to do their worst?”

The MDPCO alleged that President Tinubu had surrendered his duties to a corrupt cabal comprising key APC leaders within the National Assembly, high presidential aides and individuals mentioned to be near Mr. President.

“The result is the appointment of grossly incompetent individuals, underhand dealers, swindlers and treasury thieves into offices where they brazenly loot funds that ought to be channelled to the wellbeing of citizens,” it mentioned.

It argued that Nigeria below Tinubu is overburdened by worsening insecurity, excruciating financial hardship and a $2.3 trillion infrastructure deficit that may require roughly $100 billion yearly over the subsequent 30 years to repair, whereas public assets together with funds from exterior borrowing are allegedly being exploited by the President’s appointees for private features.

“Perhaps the Tinubu presidency believes that if it keeps mum, this scandal would be swept under the carpet like other corruption matters dogging this administration. That will not be the case. The EFCC must identify all those involved in this bribe-for-appointment scandal and ensure that anyone found culpable is held accountable in accordance with the law,” the MDPCO mentioned.

The assertion, signed by Richard Nnanna Ihediwa, Director of Strategic Communications, MDPCO, urged Nigerians to stay resolute forward of the 2027 presidential election, saying a Makinde-Daura authorities on the platform of the APM would conduct authorities enterprise with transparency and accountability.

Both organisations maintained that because the nation approaches the January 16, 2027 basic election, Nigerians ought to scrutinise the data, insurance policies and accountability of political leaders.