- Express fears country drifting towards one-party state
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO – Nigeria’s leading opposition figures have warned that deliberate politicisation of anti-corruption agencies by the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu-led administration is seriously undermining the country’s multi-party democracy.
In raising the alarm, they have accused the Federal Government of weaponising institutions such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to intimidate and persecute political opponents under the guise of fighting corruption.
The Leaders warned in a joint statement issued on Sunday that Nigeria was drifting towards a one-party state, alleging that opposition governors and political leaders were being pressured by anti-graft agencies to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The statement was signed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Chairman, Senator David Mark; Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Mr Peter Obi; former Edo State Governor, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; former PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Olabode George; and former Minister of State for Defence, Mallam Lawal Batagarawa.
According to their statement: “State power is being deployed not for the genuine fight against corruption, but for the systematic persecution of perceived political opponents ahead of the 2027 general election” the statement said.
They also accused the EFCC of selective enforcement, claiming that while opposition figures face aggressive investigations and media trials, allegations against members of the ruling party are ignored or quietly dropped.
Further citing public perceptions of unequal justice, including past remarks credited to a former APC National Chairman that defectors’ “sins are forgiven”, the Leaders said such narratives have unfortunately weakened trust in anti-corruption institutions.
Going forward, the leaders are demanding an independent review of Federal, State and Local Government accounts from 2015 to 2025 to expose selective prosecution and restore confidence in the nation’s anti-graft war.
Additionally, they are proposing embedding anti-corruption mechanisms directly into government payment systems to prevent financial crimes, alongside amendments to the EFCC Act to strengthen its independence and preventive mandate.
While urging Nigerians to remain vigilant and defend the country’s democratic space, the leaders warned that political injustice, if unchecked, could threaten national stability.
Importantly, the Leaders said: “Now is the time for all of us to rise in defence of our cherished multiparty democracy, and indeed, in defence of the very soul of our nation.
“We must make a deliberate choice not to be remembered by posterity for our silence.”
