The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to investigate alleged cash and gift distributions by officials of the All Progressives Congress (APC) at political gatherings.

The party accused the ruling APC of using financial inducements and material gifts to attract political support, urging the anti-graft agency and electoral umpire to investigate the incidents and make their findings public.

The demand was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by Phrank Shaibu, Director of Strategic Communication for the ADC Presidential Campaign Council.

Shaibu's statement followed the circulation of a 45-second video purportedly showing the Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Imaan Sulaiman-Ibrahim, distributing bundles of cash and APC-branded wrappers to women at a political gathering in Rivers State.

The video, shared on TikTok by Move with Imaan, an account documenting the minister's activities, showed her handing out bundles of ₦1,000 notes and a bale of wrappers bearing the ruling party's logo.

Some of the money was reportedly packaged in envelopes carrying the photographs of President Bola Tinubu and Vice-President Kashim Shettima, while several women were seen receiving the cash.

Reacting, Shaibu described the development as another indication of what he called an emerging pattern of using money and material benefits to secure political loyalty amid the economic challenges confronting Nigerians.

He also referenced reports of luxury vehicles allegedly distributed to APC women leaders, alongside cash and cooked food reportedly given out by the President's son through the City Boy Movement.

According to him, the latest incident has intensified concerns about the ruling party's political mobilisation strategy.

“The pattern is becoming impossible to ignore. From reports of luxury vehicles presented to APC women leaders, to cash and cooked food distributed by the President’s son through the City Boy Movement, and now videos circulating of an APC women leader handing out money and fabrics, the ruling party appears to be treating political support as something that can be bought,” the statement read.

The ADC spokesperson condemned the alleged distributions as insensitive, arguing that such displays of cash and gifts were taking place while millions of Nigerians struggled to meet basic needs, including food, transportation and other essential expenses.

He further questioned why ordinary Nigerians accused of abusing the naira were subjected to prosecution while alleged cash distributions by political actors at public gatherings appeared to attract a different response.

“The same authorities that have pursued ordinary Nigerians over alleged abuse of the Naira must explain why apparent cash distribution by political operatives at campaign events should be treated differently,” he said.

Shaibu therefore challenged the EFCC and INEC to establish whether the alleged activities violated electoral or currency regulations and take appropriate action where necessary.

He also criticised the Tinubu administration over economic hardship, insecurity and mounting public debt, insisting that distributing money and material gifts would not resolve the challenges facing Nigerian families.

“After three and a half years of economic hardship, rising insecurity and mounting public debt, the APC has little to show Nigerians,” he said.

“Its answer is to display cash and gifts at political events, as though a brief handout can erase the daily struggle families face or buy their votes.”

The ADC spokesperson also questioned the administration's borrowing practices and their alleged implications for poverty, maintaining that political support should be earned through good governance rather than financial inducements.

He insisted that Nigerians would have the final say in determining the country's political future through the ballot box, arguing that cash distributions and material gifts could not replace the people's democratic choice.

“No amount of money can compel Nigerians to endorse a government that has made life harder for them. The people’s votes are not for sale, and no manufactured crowd can substitute for their verdict at the ballot box,” he said.