A fresh allegation about political appointments has sparked questions over corruption and public spending in Nigeria.
Alwan Hassan, a spokesperson for the APC Presidential Campaign Council, claims some ministers pay billions of naira to secure government positions.
Hassan alleged that some appointees enter office focused on recovering the money they spent to get their jobs.
He made the claims while defending President Bola Tinubu’s handling of government revenue and expenditure.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme with Charles Aniagolu on Thursday night, Hassan questioned why ministers should control government spending.
“Whatever it is a budget is supposed to do in this country in the last three and a half years, Asiwaju (President Bola Tinubu) has done it by himself. Why do we need ministers? Why do we need budget to be given to ministers?” he asked.
During the interview, Aniagolu raised concerns about the government approving budgets without enough money to fund them.
Hassan, however, praised Tinubu’s direct involvement in decisions about public spending.
“The way Asiwaju is hands-on on the expenditure of our revenue is fantastic, and I love it,” he said.
Hassan then made his claim about ministers allegedly paying large sums to secure appointments.
He suggested that some appointees focus on recovering their spending after taking office.
“Charles, a lot of ministers pay billions, and you know, to get themselves appointed. The first thing they think of is how to recoup that money,” he said.
The allegation raises questions about political appointments and accountability in government.
However, Hassan did not identify the ministers he was referring to or provide evidence supporting the claim during the reported interview.
Hassan also argued that alleged corruption among ministers was not limited to one political party.
He claimed that ministers had repeatedly featured among public officials arrested for fraud under different administrations.
“The biggest fraudulent people you arrest after every government are ministers,” Hassan said.
His comments came as he defended Tinubu’s record and expressed confidence in the APC’s chances ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
