2027: Tinubu, Govs afraid of contest, offering N50m, N200m, cars to opposition candidates to step down

A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Buba Galadima, has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is offering financial incentives to some candidates at the state and federal levels to withdraw from the 2027 general elections.

Galadima claimed that candidates contesting seats in state Houses of Assembly were being offered N50 million to forfeit their tickets in favour of APC candidates, while candidates for the House of Representatives were allegedly being offered N200 million and a car.

He made the allegations on Tuesday during an interview on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme.

Galadima also alleged that a woman from Zamfara State was coordinating the distribution of money to candidates who had agreed to step down, claiming that the payments were being made at a hotel in Abuja.

“We are only 100 days away from the general elections. Like every politician, except those in power, [we] are watching their backs because, as I speak to you, I don’t think there is any candidate outside the APC who is sure of contesting this election,” he said.

Galadima alleged that some candidates had already written resignation letters and collected the purported payments.

“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.

“There’s a lady from Zamfara State who is sharing the money in a hotel here in Abuja.

“In fact, she just held a meeting about four days ago with the APC National Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, showing some candidates who have forfeited their right to contest the election. They wrote resignation letters and collected the money.”

Galadima did not provide publicly verifiable evidence during the interview to establish the alleged payments or identify the candidates he claimed had withdrawn after receiving the money. Current reports on his remarks likewise describe the claims as allegations.

The allegation comes amid increased political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, with politicians and candidates in several states changing parties, withdrawing from contests and supporting candidates from other political platforms.

The APC and its National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, had not, in the reports reviewed, issued a response specifically addressing Galadima’s latest allegation.

Yilwatda has previously denied that politicians who defect to the APC are given financial incentives, maintaining that such movements are voluntary.

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