BY VICTOR BUORO – The Makinde-Daura Presidential Campaign Organisation (MDPCO) has thrown down the gauntlet, challenging the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to launch an immediate, full-scale investigation into explosive claims that serving ministers parted with billions of Naira to buy their way into President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet.
The MDPCO made the demand in Abuja in a statement signed by its Director of Strategic Communications, Richard Nnanna Ihediwa, following an explosive confession by Alwan Hassan, one of the spokespersons for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council.
Hassan, who appeared on Arise News programme, alleged that heavy-hitting nominees regularly cough out massive fortunes for portfolios, leaving them obsessed with one primary goal of clawing their cash back upon being sworn-in to assume office, “The first thing they think of is how to recoup that money,” Hassan admitted on air.
For the opposition camp, the allegation raised serious questions about transparency in ministerial appointments and the integrity of public office, insisting that the matter required an independent investigation rather than being allowed to fade from public attention.
The MDPCO urged the EFCC to establish the veracity of the claims, identify anyone found to be involved and ensure that appropriate legal action is taken where evidence of wrongdoing exists.
Knocking the Tinubu administration over what it described as worsening insecurity, economic hardship and inadequate infrastructure, the Campaign organisation said allegations of financial impropriety among public officials could further undermine public confidence in government, warning against allowing the controversy to be swept aside without clarification.
Expressing concern over what it described as the Presidency’s silence on the allegation, almost a week after the purported revelation took place, the Campaign Council maintained that accountability was essential to restoring trust in public institutions and urged Nigerians not to lose confidence in the country as preparations for the 2027 presidential election gather momentum.
The Council, which also presented the proposed four-year RESET NIGERIA Agenda of the APM presidential candidate, Engineer Seyi Makinde, and his running mate, Lawal Daura, as the best alternative, promised transparency, accountability, national unity and improved public service delivery.
For the MDPCO, the stakes in the upcoming election could not be higher because it is a choice between systemic corruption and national renewal, while making it clear that a standard political shift is not enough because Nigeria requires a leadership fiercely committed to public welfare and unyielding integrity.
It said by demanding a full independent investigation into the appointment bribery scandal, they are sending a powerful message, to those who abuse the public trust must face the law, and the citizens must use their votes to ensure they never get the chance again.
