The All Progressives Congress (APC) has clarified a controversial statement by one of its chieftains, Alwan Hassan, who claimed that ministers pay billions of naira to secure appointments.
The APC National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, said Hassan was not referring to appointments under President Bola Tinubu’s administration when he made the comment.
Speaking on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme on Wednesday, Morka explained that Hassan’s statement was made in a historical context and should not be interpreted as a description of what is happening under the current government.
He maintained that Hassan was not talking about ministerial appointments in Tinubu’s administration, adding that the remark had been taken out of context and misinterpreted by opposition figures to discredit the present government.
Morka insisted that appointments under the Tinubu administration are based on merit, competence and the ability to deliver results, rather than financial inducements.
The clarification followed widespread reactions on social media after Hassan allegedly claimed that ministerial positions were being bought with billions of naira.
The APC spokesman urged Nigerians to disregard suggestions that members of Tinubu’s cabinet paid money to secure their positions.
“When Alwan Hassan said ministers pay billions to be appointed, he was not speaking about the current administration. It was in a historical context.
“His frame of thought was not talking about the present but the past. As a public commentator, you sometimes generalise without drawing lines,” Morka said.
