APC Breaks Silence On Allegation That Tinubu’s Ministers Paid Billions For Appointments

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed allegations suggesting that ministers serving under President Bola Tinubu paid billions of naira to secure their appointments, insisting that the controversial remarks by party chieftain Alwan Hassan were not directed at the current administration.

According to Bush Radio Academy, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka made the clarification during an interview on Arise Television, where he argued that Hassan was speaking about past political practices rather than the appointment process under Tinubu’s government.

Hassan had reportedly claimed that some individuals pay billions of naira to secure ministerial appointments, arguing that such practices contribute to corruption in public office. He suggested that people who spend huge sums to obtain government positions may view public service as an investment from which they must recover their money.

Reacting to the controversy, Morka maintained that Hassan’s comments had been taken out of context and misinterpreted by opposition figures seeking to discredit the Tinubu administration.

According to Morka, the APC chieftain was speaking in a historical context and was not making a direct allegation against the current government. He explained that public commentators sometimes make broad statements without clearly distinguishing between past and present circumstances.

“When Alwan Hassan said ministers pay billions to be appointed, he was not speaking about the current administration. It was in a historical context,” Morka said.

He further stated that Hassan’s remarks were focused on previous practices rather than the present administration, accusing opposition members of using the comments to blackmail the government politically.

Morka insisted that ministerial appointments under President Tinubu are based on merit, competence and the ability to deliver on assigned responsibilities, rather than financial inducements.

The APC spokesman also urged Nigerians to disregard claims suggesting that members of Tinubu’s cabinet paid money to obtain their positions, maintaining that the allegations did not accurately reflect the administration’s approach to selecting public officeholders.

The controversy has renewed public discussion about the influence of money in politics, the process of appointing government officials and concerns about corruption in public service. However, Morka’s response sought to draw a clear distinction between Hassan’s general remarks about past practices and allegations against the current administration.