August 12, (THEWILL) — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has dismissed allegations by the African Democratic Congress that its recent invitations to some members of the opposition coalition were politically motivated.
The ADC, alongside the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, had accused the anti-graft agency of selective arrests and investigations aimed at weakening the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections. The allegations followed the reported arrest of former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, by the EFCC.
ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, said at least three former governors in the coalition had been summoned, describing the invitations as a witch-hunt based on stale cases rather than fresh evidence.
Responding in a statement on Tuesday, EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, described the claims as unprovoked and baseless.
“If I am not condemned for investigating both former and serving strong ruling party governors and ministers, I should not be condemned for also investigating opposition figures,” Olukoyede said.
He stressed that the EFCC’s mandate is non-partisan, adding that several politicians across party lines are currently being investigated or prosecuted for alleged corruption.
“Every corruption allegation deserves to be investigated, and there is no constraint of time or season in criminal investigations,” the statement read.
Olukoyede said the Commission will not be blackmailed into disclosing details of its ongoing investigations, noting that “fraud is fraud” regardless of political affiliation.
He urged Nigerians to ignore political statements aimed at heating up the polity and distracting from the looting of public funds.
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