Atiku bemoaned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s transformation into a political instrument in a statement published on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday.
Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the former governor of Sokoto State, was detained by the EFCC on Monday for alleged financial impropriety. Emeka Ihedioha, the former governor of Imo State, was also invited due to allegations of corruption during his brief term.
In response, Atiku asserted that the only reason Tambuwal was detained was because he was a part of the alliance aiming to unseat President Tinubu in the 2027 elections.
“The EFCC has only detained Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the former governor of Sokoto State, because he is a member of the opposition coalition,” he said. The Tinubu-led administration’s goal of intimidating, harassing, and destroying the opposition is being carried out.
The truth that is being presented to us today is that, like other parts of the government, the Tinubu administration has objectified the fight against corruption as a means of forcing opposition figures to join the ruling party.
“By making corruption and the fight against it a political agenda, the state and its operators have taken on the roles of bullies, and we are living witnesses to this rising tendency.
Of course, that is not the goal for which I put so much effort into establishing the EFCC during our administration.
Atiku emphasized that while everyone must support the battle against corruption, civil society and Nigeria’s international allies must denounce its use as a political tool.
“Anyone who is associated with the opposition is a target for fictitious corruption allegations today, and it seems as though their ‘sins’ are forgiven as soon as they are forced into President Tinubu’s political agenda,” the statement said in part.
“That is definitely not the way to create institutions.” That is definitely not the way to combat the corruption monster. In fact, these characteristics serve as the catalyst for corruption to flourish.
“The tea party is not going to end anytime soon, as we have seen how the EFCC has been used to force governors of opposition states to join the governing party.
“The objectification of corruption as a political agenda should be strongly denounced by all in civil society spaces and Nigerian friends in the international community, even though the true fight against corruption is a matter that requires the full support of all Nigerians.”
Opposition leaders would oppose any anti-democratic efforts to impose a one-party dictatorship on the country, Atiku pledged.
