Atiku Challenges Tinubu to Name Officials Allegedly Involved in Bribery

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has challenged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to identify government officials allegedly involved in the payment and collection of billions of naira in bribes to secure ministerial appointments.

Atiku made the demand following allegations by Alwan Hassan, a spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, who claimed that some ministers paid huge sums of money to secure appointments and later sought to recover their investments after assuming office.

The controversy has renewed questions about transparency, accountability and the integrity of political appointments in Nigeria.

Atiku Demands Answers From Tinubu

In a post published on his official X account on Friday, October 23, 2026, Atiku questioned who allegedly received the money if ministers paid billions of naira to secure positions in Tinubu’s administration.

The former vice president argued that Nigerians deserved clear answers about the allegations, particularly because the appointments were made under the authority of the president.

Atiku wrote that Nigerians deserved names rather than silence, challenging Tinubu to explain who allegedly received the payments and whether the president was aware of the claims.

His reaction followed comments attributed to Hassan during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Thursday.

APC Spokesperson Makes Bribery Allegations

During the interview, Hassan alleged that some ministers paid billions of naira to obtain appointments into government.

He claimed that individuals who allegedly spent significant amounts to secure political positions could prioritise recovering their money after taking office.

According to Hassan, the alleged practice was not limited to ministers serving under the APC administration, but had existed before the party came to power.

However, the reported remarks did not identify any specific minister who allegedly paid money to secure an appointment. Hassan also did not name the individuals who supposedly received the payments.

The absence of publicly identified individuals and specific evidence has left important questions unanswered.

The allegations have nevertheless drawn attention to the process through which individuals obtain ministerial appointments and the safeguards in place to prevent financial inducements from influencing public service.

Atiku Links Controversy to Economic Hardship

Beyond demanding explanations about the alleged payments, Atiku criticised the Tinubu administration over Nigeria’s rising cost of living.

He accused the government of making decisions that had worsened economic hardship for citizens, arguing that Nigerians continued to bear the consequences of government policies.

The former vice president also questioned the administration’s approach to releasing funds to ministries, alleging that concerns about the conduct of ministers had contributed to restrictions on government spending.

Atiku maintained that the government should address the allegations directly rather than allow questions about the appointment process to remain unresolved.

His comments come as political parties and their representatives increasingly focus on governance, economic performance and accountability ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

Calls for Transparency and Investigation

The allegations have raised questions about whether public appointments are based on competence, experience and the ability to serve Nigerians or whether financial considerations could influence the process.

If substantiated, claims that individuals paid substantial sums to secure ministerial positions would raise serious concerns about the integrity of public institutions and the potential misuse of public office.

Such allegations would require credible evidence and an impartial investigation by the appropriate authorities.

Transparency would also require those making the allegations to provide relevant information that could help investigators establish whether any laws were broken.

As of the time of writing, the reported statements had not established that any named minister paid a bribe or that a particular individual received the alleged money.

It is therefore important to distinguish between the allegations made during the interview and any findings that might emerge from an official investigation.

Political Implications

The controversy adds another dimension to the political debate surrounding the Tinubu administration, with opposition figures demanding greater accountability from the government.

Atiku’s challenge places pressure on the presidency to clarify the allegations attributed to a member of the ruling party’s campaign council.

The issue could also intensify public discussion about the standards expected of political appointees and the measures needed to prevent corruption in government.

For Nigerians facing economic challenges, questions about the selection of public officials and the management of public resources remain important issues.

Whether the allegations lead to further explanations or an official investigation remains to be seen.

For now, Atiku is demanding that Tinubu identify those allegedly involved and explain who received the purported payments.

The central question remains unanswered: were money payments actually made to secure ministerial appointments, and, if so, who was involved?

The allegations have not been independently established, and any conclusions will depend on credible evidence and the findings of the appropriate authorities.