The All Progressives Congress (APC) has clarified that a controversial statement by its Presidential Campaign Council spokesperson, Alwan Hassan, alleging that ministers pay billions of naira to secure appointments, was not directed at members of President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.
The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said Hassan was speaking in a historical context and referring to alleged practices under previous administrations rather than the current government.
Hassan had sparked widespread reactions after making the remarks during a television interview while defending Tinubu’s approach to managing government revenue and expenditure.
He suggested that some ministers pay enormous sums to secure appointments and subsequently focus on recovering their investments after assuming office.
His comments raised questions about the integrity of ministerial appointments and whether financial inducements could influence access to public positions.
However, speaking during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time, Morka said Hassan’s statement had been interpreted differently from what he intended because it failed to clearly distinguish between past and present administrations.
According to the APC spokesman, Hassan’s subsequent explanation indicated that he was discussing a longstanding problem in Nigeria’s political system rather than making allegations against ministers serving under Tinubu.
Morka acknowledged that the wording had created ambiguity, allowing political opponents to interpret the remarks as an indictment of the current administration.
He maintained that the allegation should not automatically be attributed to Tinubu’s government simply because it was made while Hassan was defending the President’s economic management.
The APC spokesman also questioned the financial implications of the claim, asking how a minister who allegedly paid billions of naira to secure an appointment could recover such an amount within Nigeria’s budgetary framework.
Morka further distinguished between lobbying for appointments and the alleged practice of paying individuals with influence to obtain public office, describing the latter as a concern that would require scrutiny.
Despite the clarification, Hassan’s original remarks have continued to generate debate over transparency in government appointments and accountability in public service.
He has not publicly identified the ministers allegedly involved, named the recipients of the purported payments or provided specific evidence establishing that the transactions occurred.
The controversy has also prompted opposition figures to demand explanations from the Federal Government and call for an investigation into the allegations.
The APC’s position is that Hassan’s comments referred to historical practices and should not be interpreted as evidence that ministers in Tinubu’s administration paid to secure their positions.
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