Abuja, Nigeria — November 7, 2025 | Dalena Reporters
A Nigerian senator has alleged that the administration of President Bola Tinubu is offering gift-packages of ₦250 billion each to state governors willing to defect and join the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). The claim, made during a closed Senate caucus meeting on Thursday, has ignited fresh controversy around political funding, party-switching incentives and the integrity of Nigeria’s electoral system. (Report sourced from an exclusive interview with a lawmaker who requested anonymity.)
The senator said that the offer was part of a broader strategy by the Tinubu government to shore up political control ahead of the 2027 presidential election, and to secure governorship and state-assembly majorities nationwide. According to his account:
“The offer on the table for any governor to come over to APC is ₦250 billion — free gift. This is direct from the Presidency and it is being used as a carrot to coax defections.”
He added that the funds would be disbursed through a network of state budgets, special allocations, and party-affiliated agencies, thereby bypassing ordinary oversight mechanisms. The lawmaker claimed the alleged arrangement was already in motion, with several governors reportedly engaged in preliminary discussions.
The Senate leader was said to be briefed on the matter during a private strategy session of APC senators, but when the official record was requested, the chair of the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges reportedly said the matter was confidential and “not yet ripe for public disclosure.”
Attempts to obtain comment from the presidency, the Minister of Finance, and the National Treasurer of the APC were unsuccessful by publication time. A spokesperson for the Tinubu administration responded only to say that the government “denies any impropriety in political funding, and remains committed to transparency, rule of law and democratic process.”
Opposition parties reacted swiftly to the allegations. The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) issued a statement describing the claims as “a brazen, unconstitutional misuse of public funds that threatens to undermine Nigeria’s nascent democracy.” The party demanded an independent investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and urged civil-society groups to monitor disbursements closely.
In contrast, some political insiders viewed the alleged offer as realistic within Nigeria’s long-standing culture of “zoning and inducement” politics, in which large sums are offered to secure party loyalty and regional influence ahead of major elections. They noted that state governors already control significant revenue streams and may see defections as opportunities to gain investment and patronage.
Media scholars warn that if the allegations are confirmed, they could trigger legal and constitutional consequences. The Constitution of Nigeria forbids the use of public funds for partisan purposes, and the Electoral Act prohibits inducement or bribery in political alignment. Breach of either statute may lead to sanctions or electoral nullification.
For now, the focus remains on how the Senate will respond. Lawmakers close to the issue indicated that the Ethics Committee might summon governors, party officials and treasury officials for questioning. With multiple senators raising concern over party-funding transparency, the next few weeks may see parliamentary hearings or motions calling for accountability.