*Calls for a review of anti-graft agencies
*Threaten to engage foreign powers
Key opposition political leader Sunday rose from a meeting declaring that key national institutions, especially the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have been turned to tools of political intimidation, selective justice and systematic persecution of opposition leaders.
According to them, “across our nation, there are mounting concerns that state power is being deployed not for prevention of economic crimes, but for persecution of perceived political adversaries, with the ultimate aim of weakening opposition voices and dismantling Nigeria’s multiparty democracy”.
The opposition leaders who appended their signatures to the resolution of the meeting held Sunday in Abuja, included former Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, Sen. David Mark, Mallam Lawal Batagarawa, Chief Bode George, Peter Obi and Chief John Odigie-Oyegun.
The statement titled, “Anti-Corruption, Not Anti-Opposition: A joint statement by opposition leaders on the growing politicisation of state institutions for persecution of the opposition”, listed some points to rescue Nigeria from a dangerous slide that could destroy democracy in the country.
They called for the setting up of an Independent Review Body by the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice (AGF), “which should be granted full access to the public accounts of the federal, all states and all local governments covering from 2015 to 2025, with a mandate to conduct a transparent, comprehensive review of financial transactions and publish its findings”.
According to them, the body should comprise of representatives of civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, Institute of Chartered Bankers, the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, the Police, Department of State Services (DSS), Armed Forces, and and all political parties with a seat in the National Assembly.
They opposition leaders stated: “More than ever before in our democratic experience, Nigerians have witnessed what many now describe as a covert, undemocratic agenda: to ensure that all state governments fall under the control of the President’s party – not through transparent electoral contests, but by secretly intimidating opposition governors via the anti-corruption apparatus until they succumb and defect.
“This pattern forms part of a broader project that targets not only elected leaders, but also key opposition figures perceived as architects of emerging coalitions ahead of the 2027 general election.
“We must warn that this project, if allowed to continue unchecked, poses a grave danger to Nigeria’s democratic future.
“There is a discernible pattern of persecution of the opposition by the EFCC with the sole objective of weakening same for the benefit of the ruling APC.
“This disturbing pattern mirrors a long-standing sentiment openly expressed years ago by a former National Chairman of the ruling APC, Adams Oshiomhole, who declared when receiving defectors from the PDP: “Once you have joined APC, all your sins are forgiven.”
“Whether intended as political rhetoric or not, this statement has come to symbolise a troubling reality: allegations against members of the ruling party are routinely perceived to be overlooked, while even unsubstantiated accusations against opposition figures are vigorously pursued and subjected to media trial”.
They pointed at a minister who was implicated in a financial scandal, but only forced to resign after public pressure, yet, has neither been charged nor arraigned by the EFCC and is now actively involved in the President’s re-election campaign.
“Similarly, another minister remained in office despite the university he claimed to have attended publicly denying his academic certificate.
“He, too, resigned only after intense public pressure, Months later, no charges have been filed.
“Such selective enforcement undermines the legitimacy of anti-corruption efforts and erodes public trust.
“Furthermore, Nigerians are not blind to the sudden empowerment of certain political actors, including individuals appointed to federal executive positions after crossing from the opposition, but still claim to be members of opposition party – whose unstated mandate, in the public’s eyes, appears to include the systematic destabilisation of opposition parties through the creation of factions, inducement and the exploitation of judicial processes, allegedly funded by state resources”.
They demanded for “a depoliticisation” of EFCC and ICPC so as to return them to their statutory mandate.
“Nigerians must remain eternally vigilant to defend democracy to ensure that the President does not transform the country into a de facto one-party state – as witnessed in Lagos over the last 25 years, where opposition leaders were silenced, coerced or induced into irrelevance,” they stated.
The political leaders threatened engage foreign partners of Nigeria’s anti-graft agencies, diplomatic missions, including United States, UK, Canada, EU, World Bank Office, United Nations, within the next one week, to express deep concern and demand a reform of the anti graft agencies.
