The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Federal Government of using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a tool to intimidate and weaken opposition leaders.
In a statement on Tuesday, the party’s interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged that the anti-graft agency had launched what he described as a “choreographed media trial” aimed at discrediting key figures in the opposition.
He pointed to the overnight detention of former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, as well as the EFCC’s sudden request for records covering the brief seven-month administration of former Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha, as evidence of politically motivated actions.
“Like many Nigerians, the ADC questions the timing, selective targeting, and political undertones that now appear to shape the EFCC’s operations,” Abdullahi stated.
The ADC maintained that a genuine fight against corruption cannot be one-sided, insisting that a campaign focused solely on the opposition amounts to persecution rather than justice. “We have no doubt that this is witch-hunting — the APC government is weaponising anti-corruption to wage political battles,” the statement read.
Abdullahi alleged that the EFCC’s actions were deliberately designed to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 elections. He argued that corruption probes conveniently disappear once former governors defect to the ruling party. “Since Ifeanyi Okowa joined the APC, has anyone heard the EFCC mention his cases?” he asked, adding that opposition leaders are instead pursued with decades-old allegations lacking fresh evidence.
The party spokesperson urged Nigerians to resist what he described as the manipulation of state institutions for partisan purposes. “Today, it is David Mark, Ihedioha, and Tambuwal. Tomorrow, it could be anyone who dares to hold this government accountable,” Abdullahi warned.
