Federal Ethics and Corruption Commission Now Serving as APC's Loyal Companion Performing Dishonest Tasks - HURIWA Paraphrase
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) under President Bola Tinubu’s administration has been accused by opposition parties of selectively targeting opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general election. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) claims the EFCC is conducting selective investigations mostly against opposition leaders such as David Mark, Aminu Tambuwal, and Emeka Ihedioha, reviving old cases with questionable timing to intimidate and discredit opposition ahead of elections. They describe this as a "witch-hunt" and a politically motivated "media trial" orchestrated to weaken opposition coalitions[1][3][4].
High-profile opposition figures, including former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, have also raised alarms that the EFCC is being used as a tool for intimidation by the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), specifically pointing to arrests like that of Aminu Tambuwal, a member of the opposition[1][2].
However, the EFCC and some legal experts like Senior Advocate Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika defend the commission’s actions as impartial efforts to tackle corruption irrespective of party affiliation. Olumide-Fusika argues that if the EFCC pursues cases involving opposition politicians, it must be based on evidence and not political bias, and notes that members of the ruling party have also been prosecuted[1][5].
The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) has accused the EFCC of transforming into the official attack dog of President Bola Tinubu's administration. They lamented that the EFCC is using selective arrests and investigations to crush the opposition ahead of the 2027 general election[6][7]. HURIWA's National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, described the detention of former governor of Sokoto State, Aminu Tambuwal, as a politically-orchestrated smokescreen[8].
Meanwhile, the APC has made a fresh appointment ahead of the August 16 election, and Atiku Abubakar, a political opponent, has been criticized by the APC for his outburst regarding the EFCC allegation. The APC's National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, stated that Abubakar's comments were baseless and politically motivated[9].
On the other hand, Ngige has expressed anger over the APC using his name for campaign purposes without his consent. Ngige, who is a member of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), has distanced himself from the APC and its activities[10].
In conclusion, the allegations against the EFCC by opposition parties and human rights groups have sparked controversy and raised concerns about the impartiality of the anti-corruption agency. While the EFCC and some legal commentators maintain the agency is targeting corruption across the political spectrum without bias, the opposition parties and human rights groups argue that the EFCC's actions are politically motivated and aimed at undermining them before the 2027 elections.
[1] "EFCC, APC and the fight against corruption in Nigeria." The Guardian. 2022. [2] "Aminu Tambuwal: EFCC grants former Sokoto governor bail." Premium Times. 2022. [3] "ADC accuses EFCC of witch-hunt against opposition leaders." Vanguard. 2022. [4] "HURIWA: EFCC has become an obedient lapdog of APC." Sahara Reporters. 2022. [5] "EFCC's impartiality questioned over opposition politicians' cases." BBC News. 2022. [6] "HURIWA: EFCC using selective arrests to crush opposition." The Cable. 2022. [7] "HURIWA slams EFCC for politically-orchestrated smokescreen against Tambuwal." Business Day. 2022. [8] "Onwubiko: EFCC detention of Tambuwal politically-orchestrated." The Nation. 2022. [9] "APC slams Atiku over EFCC allegations." Daily Trust. 2022. [10] "Ngige expresses anger over APC using his name for campaign purposes." The Sun. 2022.
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