The Presidency has denied allegations that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration offered ministerial slots to former African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Chairman, Chief Ralphs Okey Nwosu, in a bid to halt the formation of an opposition coalition.

Daniel Bwala, Special Adviser on Policy Communication to President Tinubu, dismissed the claim on Wednesday in a statement posted via his X account.

Nwosu had, during the ADC’s 99th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting in Abuja on Tuesday, alleged that the government of Tinubu approached him with an offer of three ministerial appointments — one for himself and two others of his choosing — in exchange for dropping plans to reposition the ADC as a platform for opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.

But Bwala described the claim as false and baseless, stressing that no official in the current administration has the authority to promise or grant ministerial appointments, except the President himself.

“From his words as reported, you know that he lied — that senior government officials of the Tinubu administration promised him three ministerial slots to not surrender his party to the coalition for a wild goose chase,” Bwala wrote.

“No government official(s) of whatever rank in our government can promise or grant ministerial slots but Mr President. If a promise of ministerial slots were to be made to Mr Nwosu, it would be made by the President — and to him directly,” he added.

Bwala further challenged Nwosu to name the individuals allegedly involved in the offer, stating that such a serious claim should be accompanied by specifics.

“The same courage he mustered, saying he was promised slots by the officials, could have been used in mentioning their names and positions in this government,” Bwala said.

He said the party was “painfully graduating to an association of jesters or Association of Disorganised Characters.”

The ADC houses political figures including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, former Anambra Governor Peter Obi, and ex-Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai. David Mark, former Senate President, was on Tuesday formally installed as the party’s National Chairman during the NEC meeting where Nwosu made the allegations.