The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate alleged cash and gift distributions by All Progressives Congress (APC) officials at political gatherings.
The party said the reported incidents raised concerns about the use of financial inducements to influence public opinion and generate support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement on Wednesday, November 11, Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council, urged both agencies to investigate the allegations and make their findings public.
The demand followed the circulation of a video showing the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, distributing cash and APC-branded wrappers to women at an event in Rivers State.
The 45-second footage, shared on TikTok by Move with Imaan, an account documenting the minister’s activities, showed her handing out bundles of cash and a bale of wrappers bearing the APC logo.
Some envelopes containing money also carried photographs of Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima.
Shaibu described the incident as part of what he called a growing pattern of using material benefits to secure political loyalty.
“The pattern is becoming impossible to ignore. From reports of luxury vehicles presented to APC women leaders, to cash and cooked food distributed by the President’s son through the City Boy Movement, and now videos circulating of an APC women leader handing out money and fabrics, the ruling party appears to be treating political support as something that can be bought,” the statement reads.
He said the alleged practice was insensitive to Nigerians facing rising living costs and struggling to afford basic necessities.
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The ADC spokesman also challenged the authorities to explain why ordinary citizens had faced sanctions over alleged naira abuse while similar concerns involving political activities appeared to receive different treatment.
“The same authorities that have pursued ordinary Nigerians over alleged abuse of the Naira must explain why apparent cash distribution by political operatives at campaign events should be treated differently,” he added.
“The EFCC and INEC must investigate these incidents and take appropriate action wherever electoral or currency laws have been breached.”
Shaibu further criticised the Tinubu administration over economic hardship, insecurity and public debt, arguing that political handouts could not restore public confidence.
He maintained that voters would determine the country’s political direction through their ballots, insisting that financial inducements could not guarantee support for the ruling party.
“No amount of money can compel Nigerians to endorse a government that has made life harder for them. The people’s votes are not for sale, and no manufactured crowd can substitute for their verdict at the ballot box,” he said.
“President Tinubu has failed Nigerians. No cash handout can buy back their trust,” he concluded.