Widespread Backlash Over Tinubu’s ‘No More Corruption’ Stance

• As Govt Officials, Ex-Political Office Holders Face Corruption
• Religious Leaders, Others Carpet President Over Comments

President Bola Tinubu is facing a heavy backlash over his claims that his administration has wiped out corruption in Nigeria, OSUN DEFENDER reports.

Tinubu, had during a joint press conference with Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva, on Monday, on the sidelines of his visit to the country, stated that his government’s efforts have repositioned the country, stamping

• Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo’s Scandal

OSUN DEFENDER had on January 12, 2024, reported out corruption in all facets of national life.

His words, “The reforms I’ve embarked upon since I took over in Nigeria have been very impactful. It was initially painful, but today the result is blossoming. We have more money for the economy, and there is no more corruption.”

The comment came amidst a series of reports and exposés on how Tinubu and several members of his cabinet and the ruling party in extension, have at one time or the other been accused of corruption.

Findings by OSUN DEFENDER also revealed that since the inception of the present administration, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has investigated cases of alleged corruption against the President’s men, while various media outlets have published reports alleging them of roles in corrupt tendencies.

In this report, OSUN DEFENDER chronicles some of the corruption cases under the Tinubu administration, which Nigerians have referred to since the ‘no more corruption’ statement got to the media. various issues around the personality and public conduct of Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, the incumbent Minister of Interior.

Tunji-Ojo, a former member of the House of Representatives, has had to battle issues relating to his education, contract scandals as well as the veracity of some of his achievements in the ministry.

In December 2023, news filtered that the Minister’s company, New Planet Project Limited, allegedly got N438.1 million from the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation under suspended minister Betta Edu for consultancy services.

The company was one of the numerous consultants awarded contracts from N3 billion given out by the suspended minister for the National Social Register Contract, created for cash transfers and other social investment programmes.

In a document posted by the editor of a media platform, Pointblank News, Jackson Ude, Tunji-Ojo’s New Planet Project Limited was initially paid N279 million for verification of the list and another N159 million for the same purpose.

A source also told SaharaReporters that the Interior Minister may have got the contract through his former aide and coordinator of the National Programme Manager, Grant For Vulnerable Groups, Thalis Apalowo. Apalowo served as legislative aide to Tunji-Ojo while he was representing Akoko North Federal constituency at the National Assembly.

The embattled Minister, while reacting to the allegation in an interview on Channels TV said, “I am not a signatory to the company. And actually, I was shocked because the company in question was a company where I was a director. About five years ago, I resigned from my directorship.”

Documents of his resignation from the board of the New Planet Project Limited in 2019, with an official communication to the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), also emerged online after Tunji-Ojo displayed it on television. However, as at the time of the report, his name was still on the CAC website, while his wife, Abimbola Tunji-Ojo, was a person with significant control on the company’s board.

Beyond the contracts, the Minister has also been accused of varying corruption tendencies, ranging from award of key government jobs to cronies and associates among others.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the EFCC, ICPC nor the Code of Conduct Bureau, which had invited him for investigation into the matter has come out with a report on the status of the probes.

• Betta Edu-Gate

In January 2024, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Allieviation, Betta Edu was suspended over the alleged diversion of more than 585 million naira ($640,000; £500,000) of public money into a personal bank account.

OSUN DEFENDER learnt that Edu had approved the transfer into a personal account, which was not in her name, but said it was for the “implementation of grants to vulnerable groups.”

The funds were meant for grants to vulnerable groups in Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Ogun and Lagos States.

Another scandal that rocked Edu’s ministry was the allegation of looting of billions of naira from NSIPA by herself and her cronies, N72.3m for flight tickets to Kogi, and so on.

While Edu was suspended and eased out of the Tinubu administration, the Edu-gate was one of the major flashpoints of the government in relation to corruption and allied matters.

• Yahaya Bello

Yahaya Bello, a former governor of Kogi State and a staunch associate of the President was on April 18, 2024 declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Bello, who is currently facing criminal charges of separate counts on alleged fraud of N80.2bn and N100bn, during his time in office, was in a tough battle with the anti-graft agency before his eventual surrender.

The medium on March 7, 2025 also reported a statement credited to an official of the American International School, Abuja, Nicholas Ojehomon, who told the Federal High Court in Abuja that the former Governor paid a total of $1,606,763.68 in tuition fees for his children, including an advance payment of $845,852 for his young children to be enrolled in the school in the future, alongside other startling revelations about Bello.

• Other Cases

Sources also told OSUN DEFENDER that some key appointees of the administration are allegedly involved in a payment for appointments process, with those lobbying for appointments paying to get the slots.

One of the sources said, “There is a huge appointment racketeering process going on in this government. While some civil servants are also part of the mix, I learnt people pay in between $100,000 and $150,000 to get juicy appointments, depending on location and the offices sought.

“Many of these appointment seekers are even told not to mind the amount as they will recoup their monies within their first six months in office.”

Amidst the lingering poverty and economic hardship in the country, many Nigerians have also criticised the Tinubu administration’s economic policies, which they say has resulted in hyper-inflation, hike in electricity tariff, passport fees, among others, stressing that the move has further enriched the government and its allies.

• Reactions

Reacting to the No More Corruption statement, some religious leaders held that corruption in the Nigerian stance is yet to be eliminated.

Rev. Fr. Joseph Opelema, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Bayelsa State, said the President’s comment does not reflect the lived reality of most Nigerians.

“Evidence of corruption abounds in all spheres of our national life,” he said. “From the police to the judiciary, and even in education, nothing has changed.”

He cited ongoing police extortion, judicial manipulation, and corruption in electoral processes as proof that corruption remains rampant.

Similarly, Sheikh AbdulGaniy Bello of Ikorodu echoed similar views, calling Tinubu’s statement a political move aimed at courting foreign investors.

“Corruption is not a political issue—it’s social, economic, and cultural,” he said. “The cankerworm stares you in the face from the airport to government offices. Tackling it requires more than statements.”

Nigerians are awaiting when pending investigations are concluded to form further respective opinions on the matter.