By: Odeh Favour Adiya
A spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, Alwan Hassan, has alleged that several ministers in Nigeria pay billions of naira to secure their political appointments, only to focus on recovering their money once in office.
Hassan made the disclosure during a television interview on Arise News on Thursday while defending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s direct oversight and hands-on control of government revenue and expenditure.
Responding to questions regarding the federal government’s inability to fully fund its annual budget despite making heavy financial commitments, Hassan praised President Tinubu’s strict financial management style.
“The way Asiwaju is hands-on on the expenditure of our revenue is fantastic and I love it. A lot of ministers pay billions and billions, and, you know, to get themselves appointed. The first thing they think of is how to recoup that money,” he said.
Clarifying his statement, Hassan argued that the systemic practice of paying for ministerial slots was not peculiar to the ruling party, noting that it had been deeply entrenched in the nation’s political system long before the APC assumed power.
“But this is the truth I’m telling you about our country. Not just APC. Before APC, the biggest fraudulent people you arrest after every government are ministers,” he added.
The APC spokesman strongly defended President Tinubu’s heavy involvement in spending decisions, asserting that direct executive oversight was necessary to ensure public funds are managed properly rather than relying entirely on ministerial discretion.
“Whatever it is a budget is supposed to do in this country in the last three and a half years, Asiwaju has done it by himself. Why do we need ministers? Why do we need budget to be given to ministers?” he asked.
In addition to addressing financial management and executive appointments, Hassan praised the administration’s achievements in social welfare, specifically highlighting its record on settling outstanding pension claims.
He stated that the federal government had released funds to clear long-standing entitlements owed to retired federal civil servants and had introduced a dedicated exit benefit scheme to ensure retirees receive their entitlements without unnecessary delays.
Hassan further listed critical investments made by the administration in key sectors including electricity metering, electric vehicles, surveillance drones, and domestic ammunition production as tangible proof of performance.
He expressed optimism that these accomplishments would significantly boost and strengthen the ruling party’s prospects ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
