Nigeria: AAC Accuses Tinubu Govt of Planning 2027 Vote-Buying With Proposed N50,000 Cash Transfers

The African Action Congress (AAC), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Chapter, has accused President Bola Tinubu's administration of attempting to use a proposed ₦50,000 cash disbursement to poor Nigerians to influence votes ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The party described the Federal Government's reported partnership with financial technology companies, including OPay, Moniepoint and MoMo, to distribute the money as a disguised vote-buying scheme, questioning why the administration had waited until the approach of another election cycle to introduce the intervention.

In a statement issued on Thursday, November 5, 2026, and signed by its FCT Chairman, Agena Robert Ande, the party said the proposed payment was inadequate to address the economic hardship confronting millions of Nigerians.

The AAC questioned whether a one-off payment of ₦50,000 could meaningfully address the rising cost of food, accommodation, education and healthcare.

"Let us call it what it is: This is not welfare. This is a 2027 Election Surgery Package. This is vote-buying dressed in FinTech agbada," the party declared.

The opposition party accused the Tinubu administration of subjecting Nigerians to nearly three years of economic hardship through rising fuel prices, naira depreciation, insecurity, unemployment and increasing living costs.

It specifically questioned why the government had not demonstrated similar concern for struggling Nigerians when students were dropping out of school because of tuition fees, mothers were unable to afford hospital bills and workers struggled to pay transportation costs.

"They starved Nigerians for three years, and now they want to use ₦50,000 to buy conscience for another four years of suffering," the statement said.

The party also urged Nigerians not to exchange their votes for the proposed financial assistance, arguing that the payment would not compensate for another four years of economic hardship.

It, however, told beneficiaries that if the money is paid into their accounts, they could collect it but should reject the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at the polls.

"If they force their money on you, collect it — it is your stolen money — but VOTE THEM OUT. Do not let them buy you off," the AAC said.

Beyond the proposed cash transfers, the party condemned what it described as increasing violence, political thuggery and intimidation allegedly deployed by the APC to silence opposition figures and critics of the Tinubu administration.

It alleged that attacks on opposition voices, protesters, journalists and activists have become part of a broader pattern of political intimidation across the country.

The AAC cited alleged incidents in Lagos, Ekiti, Abuja and Rivers states, claiming that thugs, compromised security operatives and hired crowds have been used to disrupt opposition activities and attack individuals expressing dissenting views.

The party specifically referenced the reported attack on human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, in Ekiti State, describing it as part of what it called an attempt to intimidate opposition figures ahead of the 2027 elections.

"The attack on Comrade Omoyele Sowore in Ekiti and other opposition voices, is part of this same pattern. A government that cannot win with ideas has resorted to winning with fists. This is not democracy. This is dictatorship with ballot papers," the statement added.

The AAC warned that the combination of economic hardship, alleged vote-buying and political violence poses a threat to Nigeria's democratic process.

It called on Nigerians to organise across communities, schools, markets, religious institutions and other public spaces to mobilise voters and protect the integrity of the 2027 elections.

The party also urged citizens to register to vote, participate actively in the electoral process and defend their votes against possible manipulation.

"Nigerians must resist now or suffer for another four years. Resist the ₦50,000 bribe. Resist the thuggery. Resist the imposition. Resist the fear," it said.

The party maintained that Nigeria belongs to its citizens and not political contractors or individuals seeking to manipulate elections.