Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A chieftain of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Buba Galadima, has alleged that the All Progressives Congress (APC) is offering millions of naira and vehicles to opposition candidates in an attempt to persuade them to withdraw from the 2027 general elections.
Galadima made the allegation on Tuesday, October 6, 2026, during an appearance on Arise Television’s Prime Time programme, where he discussed the opposition’s preparations for the 2027 elections and what he described as growing pressure on candidates outside the ruling party.
According to Galadima, members of state Houses of Assembly who agree to give up their tickets in favour of APC candidates are allegedly being offered N50 million, while candidates for the House of Representatives are allegedly being offered N200 million and a vehicle.
“We are only 100 days away from the general elections,” Galadima said, claiming that opposition politicians were increasingly uncertain about whether they would be able to contest freely.
He further alleged that some candidates had already surrendered their tickets after receiving the alleged payments.
Galadima also claimed that a woman from Zamfara State was coordinating the alleged distribution of money to candidates in Abuja.
He alleged that the woman recently met with APC National Chairman, Nentawe Yilwatda, and presented candidates who had purportedly withdrawn from the 2027 race after receiving the alleged financial incentives.
According to him, the candidates had written resignation letters before collecting the money.
The NDC chieftain did not provide documentary evidence during the television interview to independently substantiate the alleged payments, nor did he publicly identify the candidates he claimed had withdrawn after receiving the money. The allegations have therefore not been independently established.
Galadima also alleged that the ruling party was seeking to weaken opposition parties ahead of the 2027 elections, claiming that President Bola Tinubu and APC governors wanted to avoid facing strong opposition candidates.
He further alleged that opposition politicians were encountering difficulties in carrying out campaign activities in some parts of the country.
Galadima's latest comments come amid significant political realignments ahead of the 2027 elections, including defections and changes in party candidacies.
The APC has also been revising its National Assembly candidate lists following disputes arising from its primary elections. In July 2026, the party announced the replacement of 26 candidates across several states after reviewing petitions from its primary elections.
However, those documented changes do not by themselves establish the bribery allegations made by Galadima.
Reports reviewed on Wednesday, October 7, did not contain a response from Yilwatda or the APC specifically addressing Galadima's claim that N50 million is being offered to state assembly candidates and N200 million plus a car to House of Representatives candidates.
The allegation therefore remains a claim made by the NDC chieftain and has not been independently verified.
As preparations for the 2027 elections intensify, the claims are likely to add to ongoing political tensions between the ruling APC and opposition groups over allegations of defections, political inducements and attempts to consolidate electoral strength.
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