Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has alleged that the Bola Tinubu-led government is deploying the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a tool to suppress opposition voices.
Reaction to Tambuwal’s Detention
Atiku’s comments follow the detention of former Sokoto State Governor and Senator, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal. He described the move as part of a calculated effort to harass, intimidate, and weaken members of the opposition coalition.
“The only reason the EFCC has detained the former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, is because he is a member of the opposition Coalition. It is a continuation of the Tinubu-led administration’s agenda to intimidate the opposition.”Allegations of Political Bias
Atiku, who played a key role in the establishment of the EFCC during his tenure as Vice President, accused the agency of abandoning its original mission. He claimed that the anti-corruption campaign had been objectified as a political instrument to pressure rivals into joining the ruling party.
“Today, anyone who associates with the opposition is a target for phantom corruption allegations. As soon as they are coerced into the political agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, their ‘sins’ are forgiven.”Warning on Institutional Decay
The former Vice President warned that this alleged misuse of anti-corruption bodies is undermining institutional credibility and fostering an environment where corruption can thrive. He also claimed there is a growing trend of using such agencies to force opposition governors and political leaders into the ruling party.
Call for Action
Atiku called on Nigerians, civil society groups, and the international community to resist what he described as “anti-democratic tactics” designed to push the country toward a one-party state.
“We will never succumb to these tactics. The use of anti-corruption agencies as a political agenda must be roundly condemned.”Political Context
Political analysts note that tensions between the ruling party and opposition figures have escalated since the last election, with allegations of selective prosecution becoming a recurring theme. Such claims, if left unaddressed, could deepen political mistrust and weaken the fight against genuine corruption.
