• Youth leader accuses Tinubu’s govt of targeting opposition with anti-graft agency
• Sokoto PDP declares support for Tambuwal, demands fair EFCC probe
• Aregbesola launches ADC membership drive, urges Nigerians to vote out APC
• Lagos APC dismisses Atiku’s claims of EFCC intimidation
• APC South-West pledges Buhari-style support for Tinubu in 2027
The interrogation and detention of a former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has continued to stir a political storm, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) denying opposition claims of a witch-hunt amid mounting allegations of intimidation, partisan bias, and threats to Nigeria’s democratic principles ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In particular, opposition politicians on the African Democratic Congress (ADC) platform have reportedly opted to slow down talks aimed at finalising strategies to challenge and defeat the ruling All Progressives Congress and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Checks by The Guardian revealed that the coalition partners chose this course following fears that the Presidency may have succeeded in planting moles within the party, leading to the recent invitation of some key figures in the coalition by the anti-graft agency.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) detained Tambuwal shortly after he honoured the commission’s invitation to answer questions about certain cash debits from the state’s coffers during his tenure as governor.
It was gathered that the anti-graft body targeted the Sokoto Central Senator, who served as Speaker of the House of Representatives in the Seventh National Assembly, in a bid to derail plans by opposition leaders to position him as a prospective presidential running mate to a Southern candidate.
Coming at a time when the Presidency was considering some big names from the North West geopolitical zone — including the 2023 presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Senator Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, current Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, and the current representative of Sokoto South Senatorial District, Senator Magatakarda Wammako — Tambuwal’s choice by the ADC reportedly unsettled the President’s inner circle.
A former governor involved in the coalition talks confided in The Guardian that suspicions were raised by the EFCC’s sudden action, which came only days after former Vice President Atiku Abubakar hinted at shelving his presidential ambition on the sole condition that Tambuwal would be the running mate to any Southern candidate.
The source, also a former senator, stated: “So, we have reason to believe that the powers that be have got some moles into our midst. Or, how else could one explain that at a time when the former Vice President started listening to pleas for him to allow the South complete its eight years, only for EFCC to come in?
“We have decided to slow down crucial decisions to understand how the President wants to run the election against himself. It is obvious to them (APC) that their man is not popular and that Nigerians are looking beyond him. This brute tactic can only delay, but not deter us.”
He disclosed that the coalition was adopting new strategies to keep “the enemies of democracy guessing” and to expose what he described as their desperation to capture the country “through the highway method.”
Recall that the former Vice President, Atiku, while reacting to the investigation of the former Sokoto State governor, noted that the move was an attack on Tambuwal’s public image, adding that the anti-graft commission was merely executing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s “agenda to harass, intimidate and decimate the opposition.”
Also, the interim ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, stated that “it has become crystal clear that the EFCC is out on a hatchet job,” describing the commission’s actions as “a choreographed media trial targeted at bringing coalition leaders to disrepute.”
REACTING, the Deputy National Youth Leader of the African Democratic Congress, Chinonso Obasi, described the recent interrogation and detention of Tambuwal as “a pure witch-hunt” and an attempt to silence opposition voices in Nigeria.
In a statement yesterday, Obasi alleged that the administration of President Bola Tinubu has unleashed the anti-graft agency against members of opposition parties, particularly those in the ADC.
He said: “Let us be clear. This is not about justice. This is about silencing dissent. This is about weaponising state power to intimidate the opposition ahead of 2027. This is about sending a chilling message to every voice that dares to challenge the ruling cabal.
“The ruling All Progressives Congress has suddenly gone quivering because they know how terrible they have been at governance, and letting a big fish like Waziri out on the street is a big threat to them.”
Obasi described Tambuwal as a leader who has proven his integrity in Nigerian politics. “Waziri struck a pose no governor ever did in history with cemented achievements. This had landed him the title of a dinosaur in the political circle,” he said.
He urged Nigerians, particularly students, workers, farmers, market women, clergy and unemployed youths, to “see through the charade of the EFCC and the government.”
“We must rise peacefully but powerfully to reject the capture of our institutions by partisan interests.
“The EFCC belongs to the people, not to the APC. The constitution belongs to the people, not to the APC. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we will not sit idly by while they turn it into the private estate of a political cartel.
“We demand an immediate end to the harassment of opposition leaders. It is Tambuwal today. Tomorrow, it could be any other opposition figure, journalist, activist, or citizen who dares to speak the truth.
“We demand transparency in every investigation, including those involving APC officials. And we demand the restoration of an EFCC that prosecutes thieves, not political opponents.
“This is because history is watching. The world is watching. And the people are awakening. Let it be known: We will not bow. We will not be silenced. We will not stop fighting for a Nigeria where justice wears no political uniform,” Obasi said.
Meanwhile, the Sokoto State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has declared its support for Tambuwal following his detention by the EFCC. In a statement yesterday, the party called for fairness, transparency and due process in the investigation, urging that the matter be handled without political bias.
The PDP said Tambuwal’s record in public service speaks for itself and that the people of Sokoto State hold him in high regard. It also reaffirmed its commitment to protecting democratic values and the rights of all political leaders to fair treatment under the law.
“We stand firmly behind Senator Tambuwal and urge that all investigations be carried out objectively and in accordance with the law,” the statement read. “We encourage all institutions to work independently and without prejudice.”
The party further called on citizens to remain committed to democratic principles and to engage constructively in the political process.
Lagos APC dismisses Atiku’s claims of EFCC intimidation
The Lagos State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has dismissed allegations by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is being used by the Presidency to intimidate opposition figures ahead of the 2027 general elections.
APC Publicity Secretary Seye Oladejo described Atiku’s claims as “unfounded and misleading,” saying they were an attempt to discredit vital national institutions.
Oladejo stressed that President Bola Tinubu remains committed to the rule of law and has never interfered with the EFCC’s statutory duties. He said the Commission operates independently and without political bias, acting solely on credible intelligence and evidence.
“Those with clean hands have no reason to be afraid,” Oladejo said. The APC spokesperson also accused Atiku of hypocrisy, recalling that he once championed anti-corruption efforts during his tenure as Vice President but now seeks to undermine institutions working to sanitise Nigeria’s systems.
“It is regrettable that a former Vice President who once paraded himself as an anti-corruption advocate is now attempting to tarnish the image of institutions working to sanitise Nigeria’s political and economic systems,” he added. The party urged Atiku to address lingering questions about his public record rather than spread “unfounded conspiracy theories.”
“Rather than peddle unfounded conspiracy theories, we advise Alhaji Atiku Abubakar to focus on clearing the many unanswered questions surrounding his own public record,” Oladejo said.
Reiterating the party’s confidence ahead of the 2027 polls, Oladejo said the APC does not rely on illicit methods to win elections, attributing its success to purposeful governance, infrastructural development, and social investment under President Tinubu’s administration. He dismissed Atiku’s comments as “political grandstanding” and urged Nigerians to support ongoing efforts to combat corruption and foster national prosperity.
“The APC has no influence over the EFCC’s operations. The Commission continues to carry out its constitutional mandate of investigating and prosecuting financial crimes without fear or favour, regardless of political affiliation.
“The EFCC is not a political weapon; it is a statutory body acting strictly on credible intelligence and evidence. Those with clean hands have no reason to be afraid,” Oladejo said.
Aregbesola launches ADC membership drive
Former Minister of Interior and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress, Rauf Aregbesola, has launched a large-scale membership mobilisation campaign for the party in the Kosofe Local Council of Lagos State, calling on Nigerians to vote out the All Progressives Congress in the 2027 general elections.
Addressing party supporters at the event, Aregbesola accused the APC, the Peoples Democratic Party and Labour Party of failing to deliver good governance or meaningful development. He described the ADC as a credible alternative capable of “resetting the country on the path of progress.”
The rally, which drew a large turnout despite initial delays, formed part of a broader nationwide mobilisation drive. Aregbesola urged members to intensify grassroots sensitisation, encourage voter registration under the Independent National Electoral Commission’s continuous voter registration exercise, and prepare to “protect their votes” during the elections.
“Go out and spread the gospel of the ADC to all Nigerians, especially in your local government areas. Tell them that a new vista of hope and opportunity awaits them in our party,” he said, promising incentives to support mobilisation efforts.
The event also underscored Aregbesola’s growing defiance of President Bola Tinubu and the Lagos APC hierarchy. Prominent ADC leaders present included Lagos State ADC Chairman George Ashiru, Lagos State Influencer Rahman Owokoniran, and Kosofe Council Influencer Funmi Onita-Coker, all of whom stressed the need for mass mobilisation ahead of 2027.
Ashiru welcomed prospective members and pledged to deliver “honest and transparent leadership,” assuring equal opportunities for both new and existing party members.
Aregbesola further urged continued grassroots engagement and announced that ADC membership cards would soon be available for distribution.
APC South-West pledges Buhari-style support for Tinubu in 2027
The South-West zone of the All Progressives Congress has vowed to replicate, for President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 general elections, the consistent electoral support the North-West zone delivered to the late President Muhammadu Buhari.
To achieve the target, the party said it had designed a strategy to recruit no fewer than 2,000 canvassers in each electoral ward across the six states in the zone.
Speaking after a strategic meeting of the South-West Zonal Executive Committee in Akure on Wednesday, APC Zonal Chairman, Isaac Kekemeke, said the region, being the President’s home base, must spearhead the campaign for his re-election, making immediate and extensive groundwork necessary.
The meeting was attended by state party chairmen and National Executive Council (NEC) members from the South-West. Kekemeke said the committee assessed Tinubu’s administration and reviewed its socio-economic policies and development programmes, giving his government a positive verdict.
Kekemeke, who noted that the evaluation was reinforced by external validation, maintained that Tinubu deserved a second term to consolidate his reforms. He said: “Nigerians are beginning to feel the results of the bold initiative and socio-economic transformation that is happening in Nigeria. Prices of things are beginning to stabilise and come down, the foreign exchange is coming down, debts are being paid, and Nigeria is becoming internationally respectable.
“Nigeria refused, under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to become a dumping ground for refugees of some Americans, and Nigeria was respected as one country that stood up and said no.
“So, there is international respectability for Nigeria both politically and economically, and we think that all of these must be consolidated. There must be consolidation of this tenure so that after President Tinubu’s eight years, Nigeria can continue to march forward.
“So, we are convinced that the President is the best thing that has happened to our country, even though we acknowledge that these reforms have brought about pains that we believe are temporary for our citizens and for the people of the South-West.
“We believe that in not distant time, these pains will pave the way and will give way to prosperity and peace in our country.” Kekemeke dismissed concerns over emerging opposition coalitions, describing them as a normal feature of democracy but questioning the credibility of their promoters, whom he labelled as serial failures undeserving of another chance.
“My view is that this is not a coalition of untested people; they are people that have been tested and have failed, failed and failed. If people have been tested and have failed over time, it will be terrible for Nigerians to abandon someone who is setting Nigeria on the path to greatness and go back to people who have failed.
“They are not people who have not been given a first chance, failed, a second chance, failed, and a third chance, failed. They are a committee of people who have failed in time past and in the very recent past.
“They are people who have not been able to accredit themselves credibly in the areas that they have been asked to work. They are not people who have something to show.
“I will give you an example of what I mean. When we were campaigning for President Tinubu, we had a Lagos record to show. We say that we want President Tinubu to do to Nigeria what he did to Lagos,” Kekemeke said.
