APC chieftain Alwan Hassan alleges 95% of Buhari-era ministers should face jail over corruption, reigniting debate on accountability in Nigeria.
A fresh controversy has emerged in Nigeria’s political space following explosive comments by Alwan Hassan, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who has accused the majority of ministers that served under the late President Muhammadu Buhari of widespread corruption.
Hassan’s remarks have sparked renewed public debate over accountability, governance, and the true legacy of the Buhari administration.
Speaking during a televised interview on Channels Television on Tuesday night, December 16, Hassan argued that Nigeria’s justice system has failed to adequately confront alleged misconduct by top government officials who served during Buhari’s eight years in office.
According to him, if justice were applied without political influence or selective enforcement, as many as 95 per cent of former ministers would currently be facing imprisonment.
Hassan’s claims come amid ongoing investigations involving former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, and former Minister of Labour, Chris Ngige.
Both men served prominently in Buhari’s cabinet and are now subjects of scrutiny by anti-graft agencies.
For Hassan, these investigations represent only a fraction of what he believes is a much larger problem linked to Buhari administration corruption.
The APC chieftain alleged that ministers during the Buhari era enjoyed an unusual level of autonomy, operating for years with minimal oversight.
He described the administration as one in which cabinet members were effectively left to manage their ministries without strong supervision from the presidency, a situation he claimed encouraged financial mismanagement and abuse of public trust.
“There has never been a time in Nigeria when ministers had such unrestricted freedom for so long,” Hassan stated.
“For eight years, they functioned without serious monitoring, and that created an environment where corruption could thrive.”
He further claimed that Buhari himself may have been aware of questionable practices within his cabinet.
According to Hassan, there were internal warnings allegedly issued by the former president, advising ministers to keep accurate records of their activities in anticipation of future scrutiny.
This, he suggested, indicated that Buhari foresaw a time when his officials would be required to defend their actions.
Hassan’s comments have intensified discussions surrounding the credibility of Buhari’s long-standing anti-corruption posture.
While Buhari built much of his political reputation on integrity and discipline, critics have often argued that his government struggled to match rhetoric with enforcement, particularly when allegations involved close allies or high-ranking officials.
When pressed during the interview on whether his remarks amounted to a direct accusation of corruption within the Buhari government, Hassan responded emphatically.
He maintained that a comprehensive audit of ministerial spending, project execution, and budgetary allocations would expose widespread irregularities.
“If the books are opened properly, Nigerians will be shocked,” he said.
“Those who handled budgets, contracts, and public funds would have serious questions to answer. In a fair system, most of them would already be in jail.”
The allegations have resonated strongly with a public that has grown increasingly skeptical of political accountability in Nigeria.
Civil society groups and governance advocates argue that selective prosecution weakens public trust and undermines the fight against corruption.
For many Nigerians, Hassan’s statements reflect long-held frustrations about the perceived gap between official anti-corruption promises and actual outcomes.
However, some analysts caution against sweeping generalisations. They argue that while corruption remains a major challenge, accusations must be backed by concrete evidence and due process.
Others have described Hassan’s remarks as politically charged, noting that internal party dynamics within the APC may also be influencing the narrative.
Still, the timing of his comments is significant. With renewed anti-graft efforts under the current administration and increasing calls for transparency, the focus on Buhari ministers investigation is expected to intensify.
Observers say the handling of these cases could shape public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system and determine whether past administrations will truly be held accountable.
As the debate continues, Hassan’s statements have reopened critical questions about leadership, responsibility, and governance in Nigeria.
