The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has called on President Bola Tinubu to immediately take personal responsibility for ensuring an independent, transparent and far-reaching investigation into the explosive allegation that some ministers paid billions of naira to secure appointments in his administration.
HURIWA says the allegation by Alwan Hassan, a spokesperson for the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council, represents a serious indictment of the integrity of public appointments and raises deeply disturbing questions about the possible commercialisation of political power under the present administration.
In a statement made available to VDCInsights and signed by the National Coordinator of HURIWA, Emmanuel Onwubiko, the Rights Group asked: ‘If ministers allegedly paid billions of naira to secure their positions, Nigerians deserve to know who collected the money, who facilitated the transactions, and what those appointees intended to recover from public funds.”
HURIWA says President Tinubu cannot continue to enjoy the benefits of executive authority while an allegation of this magnitude hangs over his administration without a clear, unequivocal and credible response from the Presidency.
The association insists that ‘This is not an ordinary political controversy that can be dismissed with carefully worded statements, public relations manoeuvres or the familiar strategy of waiting for public outrage to subside. It is an allegation that strikes directly at the heart of public trust, the integrity of government and the credibility of the administration’s anti-corruption promises.’
TINUBU MUST BREAK HIS SILENCE
HURIWA challenges President Tinubu to speak directly to Nigerians and order a genuinely independent investigation into Hassan’s allegation that some ministers paid billions of naira to secure their appointments.
‘The President must not allow the public to conclude that political loyalty, financial influence and access to the corridors of power enjoy greater protection than accountability and the rule of law.’
HURIWA asks: Can Nigerians reasonably expect ministers who allegedly invested billions of naira to obtain public office to serve the public interest without attempting to recover their supposed investments through the machinery of government?
“If the allegation is false, HURIWA demands that the appropriate authorities establish the facts and that Hassan provide a clear explanation of his extraordinary claim. If the allegation has substance, the government must identify those involved and prosecute anyone against whom sufficient evidence establishes criminal wrongdoing, adding the Presidency must not treat an allegation of this gravity as a passing inconvenience. It must confront it.’
EFCC, ICPC AND CODE OF CONDUCT BUREAU MUST ACT
HURIWA condemns what it regards as the disturbing absence of a clear, publicly communicated investigative response from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Code of Conduct Bureau.
The association challenges these institutions to demonstrate that their statutory responsibilities do not stop where politically influential individuals begin.
HURIWA says the agencies must establish whether they have received complaints, commenced preliminary inquiries or taken any investigative steps concerning the allegation. They must act within their respective mandates, follow the evidence wherever it leads and resist every attempt to shield politically connected individuals from scrutiny.
The association warns that failure to act on credible allegations involving powerful public officials risks creating the impression that Nigeria operates two systems of justice: one for ordinary citizens and another for members of the political establishment.
HURIWA says Nigerians cannot continue to watch anti-corruption institutions display urgency when investigating politically exposed critics while appearing hesitant when allegations concern the corridors of power.
The group argued ‘Silence is not proof of complicity, but prolonged institutional inaction in the face of credible allegations can seriously damage public confidence.’
N400 MILLION BRIBERY ALLEGATION MUST ALSO BE INVESTIGATE
HURIWA says the latest allegation must also intensify scrutiny of the separate N400 million bribery allegation reportedly made by the director-general of an agency described in the controversy as a phantom agency.
The association demands an independent investigation into that allegation, including the identity of any person who allegedly demanded or offered the money, the circumstances surrounding the claim and any evidence capable of establishing whether an offence occurred.
HURIWA insists that investigators must operate without interference from powerful officials who may be mentioned in the allegations.
The association warns that no individual, regardless of political standing or proximity to the President, should be allowed to obstruct a lawful investigation.
HURIWA further insists that investigators should examine any demonstrable connections between the separate controversies without assuming that the allegations necessarily form part of a single scheme
The association says the Nigerian public deserves evidence-based answers, not political denials, selective outrage or administrative silence.
THIS IS NOT THE FIRST ALLEGATION OF MONETISING ACCESS TO POWER
HURIWA recalls a previous controversy in which a ranking senator from Borno State, belonging to the APC, reportedly accused officials around the Presidency of demanding substantial payments from individuals seeking appointments with the President.
The association says the recurrence of allegations concerning payments for access to political appointments makes it imperative for the Presidency to establish whether these claims have any factual basis.
HURIWA warns that Nigerians will find it difficult to trust assurances about transparency and good governance if allegations of financial transactions surrounding public appointments repeatedly emerge without credible explanations or visible investigative action.
The association says public appointments must never become an auction in which the highest bidder purchases access to power and subsequently uses public office to recoup the alleged expenditure.
PUBLIC OFFICE IS NOT AN INVESTMENT SCHEME
HURIWA declares that ministerial appointments are a constitutional responsibility and a public trust, not commercial transactions for private enrichment.
If individuals pay enormous sums to secure ministerial positions, and subsequently exploit public office to recover those sums, the consequences could extend beyond corruption to the distortion of public spending, the weakening of institutions and the diversion of resources meant for ordinary Nigerians.
The association therefore demands that the Presidency and the relevant anti-corruption agencies answer five fundamental questions:
Who allegedly paid the billions of naira?
Who allegedly received the money or facilitated the transactions?
Were any public officials involved in soliciting, collecting or arranging such payments?
Did any appointees subsequently abuse their offices to recover alleged financial investments?
What concrete steps are the EFCC, ICPC and Code of Conduct Bureau taking to establish the facts?
HURIWA says these questions require credible answers backed by evidence, not political spin.
HURIWA’S DEMANDS
Against this backdrop,the association calls on President Tinubu to:
Personally demand a transparent investigation into the allegation without directing investigators towards any predetermined conclusion.
Ensure that the relevant anti-corruption agencies investigate within their respective legal mandates and publish appropriate updates without compromising the integrity of their inquiries.
Protect investigators from political interference and ensure that no individual receives immunity from scrutiny because of political influence.
Require Alwan Hassan to clarify the basis of his allegation and cooperate with any lawful investigation.
Ensure that credible evidence of criminal wrongdoing leads to prosecution, irrespective of the position, party affiliation or political connections of the individuals involved.
HURIWA stresses that the allegations remain unproven and that every person implicated is entitled to due process. However, the presumption of innocence must not become an excuse for institutional paralysis or a convenient shield against legitimate scrutiny.
TINUBU MUST NOT ALLOW THIS CONTROVERSY TO BE BURIED
HURIWA warns that the Presidency’s failure to respond convincingly could deepen public suspicion and undermine confidence in the government’s declared commitment to fighting corruption.
The association says Nigerians are entitled to demand accountability from those who exercise power in their name. No political party, public officeholder or government institution can legitimately claim exemption from that obligation.
HURIWA insists that President Tinubu must demonstrate, through concrete action, that his administration will not tolerate the sale of public appointments, the monetisation of political access or the abuse of public office for private enrichment.
The central question is simple: if billions of naira were allegedly paid to secure ministerial appointments, who collected the money, and what has the government done to establish the truth?
HURIWA demands answers. Nigerians deserve answers. And the anti-corruption agencies must demonstrate through lawful, independent action that no allegation is too politically inconvenient to investigate.
The association will continue to demand transparency and accountability until the relevant authorities address these allegations credibly.
