Atiku Alleges Political Persecution in EFCC Detention of Former Sokoto Governor Tambuwal
Former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has alleged that the detention of former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is politically motivated and aimed at silencing opposition voices.
In a statement on Tuesday, Atiku claimed that Tambuwal’s only offence was his membership of the opposition Coalition, describing the action as part of the Tinubu-led administration’s “agenda to harass, intimidate, and decimate the opposition.”
According to him, the fight against corruption has been “objectified” into a political tool to coerce opposition leaders into joining the ruling party. He accused the administration of using phantom corruption allegations as a weapon, noting that political figures who switch allegiance to President Tinubu’s camp have their cases dropped.
“This is not the EFCC we worked hard to build. Such tendencies do not strengthen institutions or curb corruption; they encourage it,” Atiku said. “We have seen the EFCC used to force opposition governors into the ruling party, and Tambuwal’s detention is the latest in this disturbing pattern.”
He called on civil society organisations and the international community to condemn the alleged abuse of anti-corruption agencies, warning that the trend could lead Nigeria into a “one-party dictatorship.”
The EFCC is yet to respond to Atiku’s allegations.
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