Makinde's group wants EFCC to look into claims of ministers buying appointments

The Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation (MDPCO) has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate claims that some ministers paid billions of naira to get their appointments and later tried to recover that money while in office.

The group is backing Oyo State Governor Oluseyi Makinde’s bid for the presidency under the Allied Peoples Movement (APM). They made this call in a statement released on Tuesday, signed by Richard Nnanna Ihediwa, the Director of Strategic Communications.

This demand comes after Alwan Hassan, a spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, made comments during an interview on Arise Television on October 23. He stated that some ministers pay huge sums to secure their positions.

“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,” Mr Hassan said.

Mr Hassan did not name any ministers involved in this practice or those who received the payments. He did mention that this issue has been happening for years in Nigeria.

In their statement, the MDPCO insisted that the EFCC should investigate these allegations independently and ensure that anyone found guilty faces the law.

They also criticized President Bola Tinubu for not addressing the issue publicly. They said the silence from the presidency five days after the comments was worrying.

They stated that the allegation brings up serious questions about the integrity of ministerial appointments. It suggests that public office may be seen as a way to make money, which could impact how public resources are used.

“Mr President’s silence validates public apprehension that either he is not in control or he sits in approval of a corrupt and fraudulent system where public offices are reduced to commodities sold to highest bidders with devastating consequences on governance, the welfare of Nigerians and image of our nation,” the statement read.

The MDPCO called on Nigerians to demand more transparency and accountability as the 2027 presidential election approaches. They are also promoting their “Reset Nigeria” agenda under the APM platform.