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Fresh reports from inside the Presidency have revealed that the Bola Tinubu-led administration is allegedly running a massive financial inducement scheme aimed at luring opposition governors and lawmakers into the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
According to exclusive information obtained by SaharaReporters, the ongoing wave of defections from opposition parties—especially the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)—to the APC is being powered by what sources described as “jaw-dropping financial packages” coordinated directly from the Presidency.
Top insiders disclosed that the arrangement is supervised by senior government officials close to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who allegedly oversee both negotiations and disbursements.
One of the sources revealed that each state governor who defects to the APC receives a total package of ₦250 billion, split into two major tranches.
“The money is released in two tranches. There is ₦100 billion upfront as a ‘grant’ once commitment is shown, and the remaining ₦150 billion comes after the formal defection ceremony,” the source said.
The insider further added that the same financial incentive extends to federal lawmakers: senators allegedly receive ₦1 billion each, while members of the House of Representatives reportedly get ₦500 million each upon joining the APC.
The claims come amid a fresh wave of defections by PDP governors and key opposition leaders to the ruling party, a trend that has sparked national debate about Nigeria’s political integrity and the state of its democracy.
Recently, governors such as Peter Mbah of Enugu State, Douye Diri of Bayelsa State, and Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State all announced their defections from the PDP to the APC, citing development goals and alignment with the ruling party’s “vision for progress.”
Governor Peter Mbah, while announcing his move in October, said the decision was based on his desire to “better serve the people of Enugu” and to align with the APC’s developmental agenda.
“Leadership demands difficult, even painful decisions, in the service of higher principles and goals,” Mbah said during his defection.
“Today, after long reflection, we have made a decision to join the All Progressives Congress.”
He also expressed appreciation to the PDP for supporting his political journey but described his defection as a “necessary step” toward achieving his administration’s long-term objectives.
Similarly, SaharaReporters had earlier reported in early November that Bayelsa State Governor Douye Diri officially defected to the APC, ending weeks of speculation and marking a major political shift in the South-South region.
The defection ceremony in Yenagoa turned into a carnival-like celebration attended by thousands of party loyalists and political heavyweights, including Akwa Ibom State Governor Pastor Umo Eno, Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, former Edo Governor Adams Oshiomhole, and Minister of Regional Development Abubakar Momoh.
Governor Diri justified his defection as a move made “in the best interest of Bayelsa State,” saying politics should focus on peace and development rather than division.
“Some of you might not understand now, but later it will be clear to all. Politics is for development, not destruction,” Diri said.
With his defection, Diri becomes the 25th APC governor nationwide and the fourth PDP governor to cross over this year, following the footsteps of Oborevwori (Delta), Umo Eno (Akwa Ibom), and Peter Mbah (Enugu).
Meanwhile, the Presidency has not officially responded to the fresh allegations of financial inducement. However, critics argue that the defections, coming in rapid succession and amid economic strain, lend credence to the claims that state resources and federal funds are being used to strengthen the ruling party’s hold on power ahead of 2027.
Political observers have called for transparency and urged anti-graft agencies to investigate the alleged payments, warning that such practices, if true, could undermine democratic values and further weaken opposition parties in Nigeria.
For now, the Presidency remains silent — but the allegations continue to stir controversy across Nigeria’s political landscape.
