Makinde Campaign Asks EFCC to Probe Alleged Sale of Ministerial Appointments
The Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation (MDPCO), operating under the platform of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM), has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate allegations that some ministers paid billions of naira to secure appointments under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The organisation also criticised Tinubu for allegedly failing to publicly address the claims, warning that the controversy raises questions about transparency, accountability and the integrity of ministerial appointments.
The campaign organisation made its position known in a statement issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, and signed by its Director of Strategic Communications, Richard Nnanna Ihediwa.
The demand followed remarks by Alwan Hassan, a spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, who alleged during an interview on Arise Television that some ministers paid huge sums to secure their positions and subsequently sought to recover their investments while in office.
Hassan reportedly made the remarks on October 22, although the interview was reported publicly on October 23.
The allegation has not been independently substantiated, and Hassan did not identify the ministers allegedly involved or name the recipients of the purported payments.
Campaign Group Demands EFCC Investigation
The MDPCO said the allegation warranted an independent investigation to establish whether money changed hands in connection with ministerial appointments and whether any laws were breached.
It argued that, if proven, the alleged practice would raise serious concerns about whether public offices were being treated as commercial investments rather than positions of public trust.
The organisation also questioned the Presidency’s response to the controversy, saying the absence of a public statement five days after the remarks had heightened concerns about accountability within the administration.
“Our demand for an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) probe is predicated on growing concerns of high-level complicity following the disquieting silence of the Tinubu Presidency, five days after the revelation was made on national TV,” the statement said.
The campaign organisation urged the anti-graft agency to investigate the allegation and ensure that anyone found culpable was held accountable in accordance with the law.
However, the group did not provide independent evidence establishing that the alleged payments occurred.
Allegations Raise Questions About Public Appointments
The campaign organisation argued that the allegations, if substantiated, could undermine public confidence in the process of appointing ministers and raise concerns about possible attempts to recover alleged payments through access to public resources.
It also accused powerful political interests within the ruling APC of influencing governance and appointments. These claims were presented by the campaign organisation and have not been independently established.
The group linked its concerns to Nigeria’s economic difficulties, insecurity and infrastructure challenges, arguing that public resources should be directed towards improving citizens’ welfare.
It called on Nigerians to demand greater transparency and accountability from political leaders ahead of the 2027 general election.
The organisation also promoted its proposed four-year “Reset Nigeria” agenda under a Seyi Makinde-led government on the APM platform, promising to prioritise transparency, service delivery and citizens’ welfare.
Original Allegation Still Requires Verification
Hassan’s remarks have prompted questions about who allegedly paid the money, who received it and whether the alleged transactions influenced ministerial appointments.
During the television interview, he reportedly claimed that some ministers paid billions of naira to secure their positions and later focused on recovering the money.
The remarks did not establish the identities of the alleged payers or recipients, nor did they provide documentary evidence confirming the transactions.
The controversy therefore remains an allegation requiring verification rather than proof that ministerial appointments were sold.
The MDPCO has called for an EFCC investigation, but no confirmed finding establishing the alleged payments was available in the reports reviewed for this story.
The Presidency’s response to the specific allegation was also not established in the reports reviewed.
