The National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Felix Morka, said a controversial claim that ministers pay billions of naira to secure appointments referred to previous administrations, not President Bola Tinubu’s government.
Morka clarified during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time, where he said comments by APC chieftain Alwan Hassan had been taken out of context.
Hassan had alleged that some ministers spend billions of naira to secure appointments and then focus on recovering the money after assuming office, rather than concentrating on public service.
However, Morka argued that Hassan was speaking about past administrations and that his remarks should not be interpreted as an accusation against members of Tinubu’s cabinet.
He maintained that the current administration selects ministers based on merit, competence and their ability to deliver on assigned responsibilities, rather than financial inducements.
Morka also accused opposition figures of misrepresenting Hassan’s comments to discredit the Tinubu government. He urged Nigerians to reject interpretations suggesting that serving ministers paid billions of naira to obtain their positions.
Hassan’s initial remarks, made during an interview on Arise News, sparked debate over whether money was being used to secure ministerial appointments and whether such payments could influence how appointees perform their duties.
Morka’s response sought to separate the allegation from the current administration, insisting that the comments were historical in context and did not refer to Tinubu’s ministers.
