A coalition of Nigeria’s opposition leaders has raised concerns over what they describe as a growing threat to the country’s multi-party democracy, accusing the Tinubu administration of using state institutions to intimidate and weaken political opponents ahead of the 2027 elections.
In a joint statement titled “Anti-Corruption, Not Anti-Opposition”, the leaders said key agencies—including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC)—are increasingly viewed as tools of selective justice rather than impartial law enforcement.
The statement was jointly signed by Senator David Mark, Atiku Abubakar, Lawal Batagarawa, Bode George, Peter Obi, and John Odigie-Oyegun.
The coalition alleged a covert effort to bring all state governments under the control of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) by pressuring opposition governors through anti-corruption agencies, prompting defections. They warned that this approach is undermining democratic norms and silencing opposition voices.
They also accused the EFCC of disproportionately pursuing opposition figures while overlooking alleged misconduct by ruling party members. Highlighting recent cases involving former ministers, the leaders said political connections appear to shield ruling party officials from investigation, while opposition figures face aggressive scrutiny, sometimes on unproven allegations.
The statement expressed concern that the independence of Nigeria’s anti-graft institutions is being eroded. “An agency designed to safeguard our economic integrity risks becoming an instrument of political persecution,” the leaders said, warning that such practices could destabilise the country ahead of the next general elections.
The coalition outlined a number of urgent reforms it said were necessary to restore public confidence in the anti-graft framework and safeguard Nigeria’s democracy. Central to its demands is the immediate depoliticisation of the EFCC, insisting that the agency must be allowed to operate independently and free from partisan influence or executive interference.
The opposition leaders also called for a return to the EFCC’s statutory mandate, urging the Commission to refocus on the impartial detection and prevention of economic and financial crimes, rather than what they described as selective prosecutions and media trials targeted at political opponents.
In addition, the coalition proposed strengthening preventive oversight by embedding anti-graft operatives directly into government payment and expenditure processes at the federal, state and local government levels. They argued that such a system would enhance transparency, accountability and probity in the management of public funds.
They further demanded the establishment of an independent review body to conduct a comprehensive audit of public accounts of the federal, state and local governments between 2015 and 2025. The proposed body, they said, should be chaired by a retired judge and include representatives of civil society, relevant professional bodies, security agencies and all political parties represented in the National Assembly, with its findings made public.
The opposition leaders urged citizens across political, religious, and professional lines to remain vigilant in defending Nigeria’s democracy. They also said they would engage international partners, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, European Union, United Nations, and the World Bank, to raise concerns over the politicisation of anti-graft institutions.
Key Opposition Leaders Raise Alarm Over Threats to Nigeria’s Democracy
