REPORT: APC yet to pay Nigerian newspapers N24m advert placed for Tinubu’s 73rd birthday

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has yet to pay N24 million for a congratulatory advert placed in honour of Bola Tinubu’s 73rd birthday.

The advert was reportedly placed by Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, former national chairman of the party, on behalf of the APC.

Sources said the party had not settled the bill before Ganduje left office, adding that repeated efforts to get the party leadership to pay for the advert have not yielded results.

The sources said the unpaid adverts which were published on March 29, 2025, involved correspondents covering the party’s activities.

The party is also said to owe payment for adverts placed to celebrate Chief Bisi Akande, former national chairman of the APC, and some state governors.

The full-page colour adverts highlighting Tinubu’s electoral victory and leadership milestones appeared in several national newspapers including The Guardian, The Nation, The Sun and Nigerian Tribune.

Some reporters involved in placing the adverts said their salaries have been affected by the unpaid bills.

One of the reporters, who asked not to be named, said: “It is frustrating. My office thought I had collected the money, whereas I haven’t.

“The most annoying thing is that they could have easily been confirmed from the party, but they did not.”

“Unfortunately, the National Publicity Secretary of the party that could have helped to push for the payment of the advert is barely on seat. He hardly comes to the party secretariat. We don’t even know when the party will pay.”

Another reporter said the experience had made him reluctant to accept adverts on credit from the party.

“Sometimes I have to use my own personal money to pay whenever the pressure from my office is getting too much,” the reporter said.

Media managers said the delay has forced some organisations to reconsider publishing political goodwill messages on credit.

Sources within the party said Nentawe Yilwatda, national chairman of the APC, had given assurances that the outstanding payments would be settled. However, they alleged that some officials have yet to act on the directive.