Opposition leaders increase the alarm over menace to multi-party democracy

A coalition of distinguished opposition leaders has accused the Federal Authorities of utilizing anti-corruption businesses to intimidate and persecute opposition figures, warning that the pattern poses a grave menace to Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

In a joint assertion on Sunday, the leaders accused President Bola Tinubu’s authorities of weaponising state establishments, significantly the Financial and Monetary Crimes Fee, the Nigeria Police and the Unbiased Corrupt Practices and Different Associated Offences Fee, to persecute political opponents below the guise of preventing corruption.

The assertion was collectively signed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President and Nationwide Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Senator David Mark; former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Mr Peter Obi; former Governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; former Deputy Nationwide Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George; and former Minister of State for Defence, Lawal Batagarawa.

“Nigerians have witnessed what many now describe as a covert, undemocratic agenda: to make sure that all state governments fall below the management of the President’s celebration – not by means of clear electoral contests, however by secretly intimidating opposition governors through the anti-corruption equipment till they succumb and defect.

“Latest defections of opposition governors into the ruling celebration have strengthened public suspicion that political stress, not ideological or private persuasion, is driving this realignment.

“This sample types a part of a broader mission that targets not solely elected leaders but additionally key opposition figures perceived as architects of rising coalitions forward of the 2027 common election.

“We should warn that this mission, if allowed to proceed unchecked, poses a grave hazard to Nigeria’s democratic future,” the assertion learn.

The leaders additional alleged a sample of selective enforcement by the EFCC, claiming that allegations in opposition to members of the ruling celebration had been typically neglected, whereas accusations in opposition to opposition figures had been aggressively pursued and subjected to media trial.

They cited previous public statements by a former ruling celebration chairman, Adams Oshiomhole, that “after getting joined APC, all of your sins are forgiven,” which they mentioned had come to symbolise public perceptions of unequal software of anti-corruption legal guidelines.

“A couple of current examples reinforce this notion,” they added. “Months in the past, a minister was implicated in a monetary scandal so blatant that solely sustained public outrage compelled her resignation.

“But, lengthy after stepping down, she has neither been charged nor arraigned by the EFCC and is now actively concerned within the President’s re-election marketing campaign.

“Equally, one other minister remained in workplace regardless of the college he claimed to have attended, publicly denying his educational certificates. He, too, resigned solely after intense public stress. Months later, no expenses have been filed.

“This selective enforcement undermines the credibility of anti-corruption efforts and erodes public belief in nationwide establishments,” the assertion added.

As a part of their calls for, the opposition leaders referred to as on the Attorney General of the Federation, in session with the Nationwide Meeting, to ascertain an impartial assessment physique to look at the general public accounts of the federal, state and native governments from 2015 to 2025.

They mentioned the proposed physique ought to have unrestricted entry to public monetary information, publish its findings, and expose patterns of selective prosecution whereas recommending reforms to strengthen the EFCC.

The proposed assessment panel, they mentioned, must be chaired by an eminent decide and embrace representatives from civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Affiliation, the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, the Institute of Chartered Bankers, the Nigerian Monetary Intelligence Unit, the anti-graft businesses, the Police, the DSS, the Armed Forces, and all political events represented within the Nationwide Meeting.

The opposition leaders additionally proposed embedding anti-corruption operatives straight into authorities fee and expenditure processes in any respect ranges of presidency to forestall, moderately than merely punish, monetary crimes.

Calling on Nigerians to defend democracy, the signatories mentioned they’d, within the coming weeks, have interaction overseas companions, diplomatic missions and worldwide organisations to precise concern over what they described because the rising politicisation of Nigeria’s anti-graft businesses.

They appealed to residents throughout celebration, regional and non secular strains to stay vigilant, insisting that Nigeria “belongs to all of us – to not a single celebration or a single chief.”

The assertion follows the detention of a former AGF and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.

Malami has been in detention since Monday after failing to satisfy the bail circumstances set by the EFCC.

PidomNigeria On-line had earlier reported that he’s being investigated for 18 offences, together with alleged abuse of workplace and terrorism financing.

The ADC had on Saturday accused the anti-graft company of enjoying politics with the revocation of the bail earlier granted to him.

However the company mentioned on Saturday, Malami was initially granted administrative bail on November 28, 2025, however repeatedly did not adjust to circumstances regardless of being granted extensions on well being grounds.

EFCC mentioned Malami was ultimately invited once more on December 8, 2025, and detained pending full compliance with the excellent bail phrases.