A coalition of opposition leaders has accused the Federal Government, under President Bola Tinubu, of deploying the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a partisan instrument to undermine opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a joint statement titled “The Weaponisation of the EFCC”, the leaders expressed concern over what they described as the selective application of anti-corruption laws, warning that such practices weaken the credibility of the anti-graft campaign and erode public confidence in state institutions.
The statement was endorsed by Interim National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; Peter Obi; Bode George; Lawal Batagarawa; and former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Odigie-Oyegun.
They alleged that the EFCC has, in recent years, disproportionately targeted opposition figures, while allegations involving members of the ruling party are either ignored or handled with less urgency. According to them, this trend reinforces a perception that the anti-corruption agency is being used to advance the political interests of the APC.
The opposition leaders referenced a past remark by a former APC National Chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, who had suggested that defectors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would have their past “sins” forgiven upon joining the ruling party. They argued that the comment, whether made casually or deliberately, has come to symbolise a wider belief that accountability is unevenly applied along party lines.
They noted that opposition figures are frequently subjected to aggressive investigations and intense media scrutiny, even in the absence of proven evidence, a development they said undermines the rule of law and due process.
Calling for urgent reforms, the leaders demanded that political influence be removed from the operations of the EFCC to enable it function independently and professionally.
“The EFCC must be insulated from partisan control and must not operate at the behest of any president, political party or faction,” the statement said.
They urged the Federal Government to restore the Commission to its statutory mandate, stressing that its responsibilities, as outlined under Sections 6 and 7 of its establishing Act, do not include selective prosecution or the harassment of political opponents.
The coalition also appealed to Nigerians, across political, ethnic, religious and professional lines, to remain vigilant, warning that democratic values are under threat if state institutions are deployed to weaken opposition voices.
According to them, the alleged politicisation of the EFCC represents a broader danger to Nigeria’s democracy, with far-reaching implications for accountability, fairness and public trust in governance.
Opposition accuses Tinubu administration of politicising EFCC ahead of 2027
