Some ministers pay billions to get appointed — APC campaign spokesman

Alwan Hassan, a spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress Presidential Campaign Council, has accused certain ministers of paying large sums of money to secure their ministerial positions and then attempting to recover the funds. This claim was made during an interview on Arise News, as Hassan defended President Bola Tinubu's hands-on approach to government revenue and expenditure.

"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," Hassan stated. He emphasized that this issue has been prevalent for years, not just during the APC-led government. Hassan also defended the administration's ability to manage public funds, questioning the need for ministers to handle budget implementation.

He claimed that President Tinubu had personally handled the budget over the past three and a half years, suggesting that ministers were not necessary. Additionally, Hassan praised the government's efforts in pension payments, stating that it had released funds to settle outstanding entitlements for retired civil servants and introduced an exit benefit scheme for easier access to retirement benefits.

He also highlighted government investments in various technologies and local ammunition production, asserting that these achievements would bolster the APC's prospects in the 2027 presidential election.