A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Buba Galadima, has alleged that the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) is offering up to ₦200m and cars to some House of Representatives candidates in exchange for withdrawing from the 2027 general election.
Mr Galadima made the claim during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme.
He alleged that members of state Houses of Assembly who agree to step aside for APC candidates were being offered ₦50m, while those contesting for the House of Representatives were allegedly being offered ₦200m and a car.
“Every member of the House of Assembly who agrees to forfeit his ticket for the APC candidate is currently being given N50 million, and members of the House of Representatives will be given N200 million with a car,” he said.
Mr Galadima further alleged that money was being distributed to candidates who had agreed to abandon their bids, claiming that a woman from Zamfara State was coordinating the payments from a hotel in Abuja.
He also claimed that the woman had recently met APC National Chairman Nentawe Yilwatda and shown him the names of candidates who had withdrawn from the 2027 contest.
Mr Galadima did not provide evidence during the interview to independently substantiate the alleged payments or identify the lawmakers he claimed had stepped down.
The allegations come amid increased political realignments and defections ahead of the 2027 elections, with parties seeking to strengthen their structures and secure candidates across federal and state constituencies.
The APC has not, in the reports reviewed, publicly responded specifically to Mr Galadima’s latest allegations.
The party has previously maintained that politicians joining its ranks do so voluntarily. In February, Mr Yilwatda rejected suggestions that financial incentives were being used to attract politicians to the APC.
With the 2027 elections approaching, Mr Galadima’s allegations are likely to add to the growing debate over political defections, consensus arrangements and the role of financial inducements in Nigeria’s electoral politics.
