A leaked WhatsApp conversation circulating on social media has stirred fresh controversy, with claims that individuals linked to the All Progressives Congress offered social media users ₦3,000 to promote content related to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his administration.
The screenshots were first shared by Ife Salako, identified as a Labour Party coordinator in Lagos State. The chats allegedly show instructions for users to quote tweet or engage with posts connected to the President or government activities in exchange for small payments.
In one of the exchanges, the payment per task was reportedly ₦3,000, a sharp drop from earlier figures said to be around ₦20,000. This led to widespread mockery online, with some users joking that “their value has dropped from 20k to 3k.”
The development triggered mixed reactions across social media platforms. Many critics described the alleged payments as too small, especially in the face of rising inflation and economic hardship in Nigeria. Others questioned the authenticity of the screenshots and called for verification before drawing conclusions.
Allegations of political parties paying influencers to shape online narratives are not new in Nigeria. In past election cycles, reports have suggested that different parties across the political spectrum engaged digital influencers to push campaign messages or counter opponents.
As of the time of this report, neither the APC nor officials of the Tinubu administration have publicly responded to the circulating screenshots or confirmed their authenticity.
The controversy has reignited debate about online propaganda, political communication strategies and transparency in the digital space as Nigeria moves closer to future electoral activities.
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