APC Clarifies Chieftain’s Claims Regarding Ministerial Appointments

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has officially responded to viral claims suggesting that ministerial appointments within the Nigerian government are secured through financial payments. The controversy stems from comments made by party chieftain Alwan Hassan, which sparked significant debate across social media platforms.

Clarifying the Context

During an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time program on Wednesday, APC National Publicity Secretary Felix Morka addressed the remarks. According to Morka, the statements made by Hassan regarding ministers paying billions of naira to secure their appointments were taken out of context. Morka emphasized that Hassan was not referencing the current administration led by President Bola Tinubu.

Morka explained that the chieftain’s comments were intended to be understood in a historical context rather than as a critique or description of the present government. He suggested that as a public commentator, Hassan had generalized the issue without specifically delineating between past political eras and the current administration.

When Alwan Hassan said ministers pay billions to be appointed, he was not speaking about the current administration. It was in a historical context, Morka stated.

Defense of the Appointment Process

In addition to clarifying the timeline of the remarks, the APC spokesperson defended the integrity of the current administration’s selection process. Morka asserted that appointments under President Tinubu are determined by merit, competence, and the individual’s capacity to deliver results, rather than through financial inducement.

The party has characterized the widespread circulation of these claims as an attempt by members of the opposition to blackmail the current administration. Morka urged the Nigerian public to disregard the insinuations, maintaining that the allegations of a “pay-to-play” system for cabinet positions are unfounded regarding the current government.

Public Reaction and Political Discourse

The original allegations made by Hassan generated significant backlash and heated discussions online, highlighting the sensitivity of political appointments in Nigeria. While the APC has moved to distance the current government from these claims, the incident underscores the intense public scrutiny surrounding ministerial selection processes.

As of the time of this report, there has been no further comment from Alwan Hassan regarding the APC’s clarification. The party continues to maintain that its internal processes for cabinet selection remain focused on professional qualifications and administrative capability.

Conclusion

The APC’s intervention serves as a formal attempt to quell rumors regarding the financial integrity of ministerial appointments. By reframing the chieftain’s comments as historical generalizations, the party aims to mitigate the impact of the viral claims on the administration’s reputation. Whether this explanation will satisfy critics remains to be seen, as the discourse around political transparency continues to be a prominent feature of the national conversation.

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p class=”vbna-source-note”>Source: Daily Post Nigeria

Tags: APC · Bola Tinubu · Felix Morka · Governance · news · Nigeria Politics · ViralBrief