Tambuwal: ADC, Atiku, Obidient Movement Slam EFCC for ‘Partisan’ Probes

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) and leaders of the Obidient Movement have accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of being used to target opposition politicians ahead of the 2027 general elections, following the arrest of former Sokoto State Governor and serving Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal over alleged fraudulent withdrawals amounting to N189 billion. Tambuwal, who governed Sokoto State from 2015 to 2023, is a prominent member of the opposition coalition. The ADC, in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged that the EFCC was reopening old cases without new evidence against senior coalition members while dropping probes into ruling party figures who defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The party accused the Commission of acting as an extension of the APC and warned that such partisan influence could undermine democracy. It claimed recent EFCC actions against former Senate President David Mark, former Imo Governor Emeka Ihedioha, and Tambuwal were politically motivated.

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar described Tambuwal’s detention as part of a broader plan by President Bola Tinubu’s administration to weaken the opposition. In a post on X, Atiku alleged that the government was weaponizing the anti-corruption fight to force politicians into the APC, warning that this could pave the way for a one-party state. His media aide, Paul Ibe, echoed these sentiments, accusing Tinubu of running a “civilian dictatorship” worse than military rule and insisting the ADC was a national platform, not a sectional party.

Dr. Yunusa Tanko, Interim National Coordinator of the Obidient Movement, accused the government of seeking to destroy democracy and warned that opposition figures should expect more attacks. He said the administration was shielding corrupt allies while targeting opponents, undermining constitutional freedoms, and pursuing selective justice. Tanko vowed that the opposition would resist such moves, stressing the need to strengthen grassroots political structures.

Public affairs analyst Nduka Odo also called Tambuwal’s arrest politically motivated, questioning the timing and pointing to past remarks by APC leaders suggesting that party membership absolves wrongdoing. He cited the case of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello as an example of selective enforcement and urged reforms to guarantee the EFCC’s independence, including removing presidential powers to appoint its chairman.