Alwan Hassan Alleges Ministers Pay Billions for Appointments, Predating APC Era
Alwan Hassan, the spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, has leveled serious allegations regarding the financial mechanics of government appointments in Nigeria. In a statement that draws attention to the intersection of politics and commerce, Hassan alleged that numerous ministers pay billions of naira to secure their positions within the federal government.
These claims were brought to public attention during a Thursday interview on Arise Television’s 'Prime Time' programme. The broadcast provided the platform for Hassan to outline his perspective on how high-level government offices are filled, suggesting that monetary transactions play a decisive role in the selection process for ministerial posts.
Central to Hassan's allegations is the assertion that this practice serves as a significant driver of corruption within public office. He argued that individuals who purchase these positions do not view their service as a public duty but rather as a financial investment. According to Hassan, the primary motivation for these appointees is the urgent need to recoup the funds they spent to secure their roles.
Providing specific commentary on the motivations behind these alleged payments during his appearance on Arise Television, Hassan stated, "A lot of ministers pay billions to be appointed, and the first thing they think of is how to recoup that money after being appointed." This quote underscores the alleged transactional nature of the appointments, where public service is treated as a business venture with an expected return on investment.
Hassan blamed these appointment payments directly for the prevalence of corruption in public office. His argument suggests a systemic issue where the financial burden of securing a post dictates the subsequent actions of the appointee, leading to behaviors aimed at recovering costs rather than serving the public interest.
Historical Context and Political Scope
A critical component of Hassan's allegations is his insistence that this culture of transactional appointments is not exclusive to the All Progressives Congress. He emphasized that the practice existed prior to the party's administration and is not limited to its members or appointees. This distinction is intended to frame the issue as a pervasive national problem rather than a critique confined to the current political leadership.
"It is the truth about our country and not just APC ministers; it started before the APC," Hassan stated. By characterizing the issue in this manner, he argues that the phenomenon predates the APC era, suggesting a deep-rooted structural flaw in the political system that transcends individual party administrations.
The spokesperson's comments on Arise Television thus serve as both an indictment of current ministerial conduct and a broader commentary on the historical continuity of alleged appointment payments in Nigerian politics. By linking the financial burden of appointments to subsequent corruption, Hassan presents a narrative where the cost of entry into government directly influences the integrity of public office.