Presidency faults opposition, insists EFCC is independent

President Bola Tinubu. Photo: State House

Kindly share this story:

The Presidency has dismissed allegations by opposition politicians that President Bola Tinubu is undermining multiparty democracy and weaponising anti-graft agencies, describing the claims as an attempt to find scapegoats for political failures.

In a statement issued on Sunday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Presidency said opposition figures who recently raised concerns were “engaging in subterfuge and the empty search for scapegoats.”

He added that the politicians were “blowing hot air” and seeking “cheap political gains” after failing at the polls, noting that many belong to “a dying political party” or are “failed political office aspirants.”

Onanuga rejected claims that Nigeria’s democracy was under threat because politicians were defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress, stressing that the Constitution guarantees freedom of association.

“None of the people who joined the governing APC was pressured to do so. They all did so of their own free will. They are being motivated by the noticeable gains of President Bola Tinubu’s reform programme,” the statement said.

The Presidency also rejected accusations that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission was being used to target political opponents, stressing that the agency operates independently.

“President Tinubu does not issue directives to any anti-corruption agency on whom to investigate, arrest, or prosecute,” Onanuga said, adding that the EFCC “is an independent institution established by law and empowered to carry out its statutory responsibilities without interference or favour.”

Addressing allegations of selective prosecution, the Presidency said it does not direct the activities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

“While the Presidency does not speak for the EFCC and believes the agency can speak for itself, we must reiterate that the EFCC is an independent institution established by law and empowered to carry out its statutory responsibilities without interference or favour,” Onanuga said.

He added that President Tinubu does not issue directives to any anti-corruption agency on whom to investigate, arrest or prosecute, insisting that accountability must apply to all.

“Those who have cases to answer before the EFCC should be bold and brave enough to defend themselves if they are clean,” the statement added.

The Presidency noted that some of the politicians criticising the EFCC had previously been investigated or prosecuted by the agency even before Tinubu assumed office in 2023, while others had been indicted in international money laundering probes.

“No one is above the law. Political affiliation should not be a shield against EFCC statutory work,” the statement said, citing Nigeria’s recent removal from the Financial Action Task Force grey list as evidence of progress in the anti-corruption fight.

The Presidency urged politicians to stop undermining national institutions, warning against “weaponising politics to escape accountability.”

The statement followed claims by the African Democratic Congress that the detention of former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, SAN — a senior member and leader of the party in Kebbi State — was part of a broader attempt to intimidate opposition figures and coerce them into joining the ruling APC.

The party alleged that the anti-graft agency acted outside the law and displayed “political bias.”

Similarly, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar accused Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies of deviating from their mandate, describing the ongoing anti-corruption drive as a “full-blown political witch-hunt.”

Kindly share this story:

All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.

Contact: [email protected]

UPDATE NEWS: Nigerians can now invest ₦2.5million on premium domains and profit about ₦17-₦25Million. All earnings paid in US Dollars. Rather than wonder, 👉 click here to find out how it work (Be sure to ask for evidence of clients that have benefitted from this)

Stay informed and ahead of the curve! Follow The Punch Newspaper on WhatsApp for real-time updates, breaking news, and exclusive content. Don't miss a headline – join now!

Stay in the know—fast. Get instant alerts, breaking headlines, and exclusive stories with the Punch News App. Download now and never miss a beat.