Presidency to opposition leaders: EFCC not weaponised — don’t trivialise anti-graft war

The presidency has rejected claims of weaponisation of anti-corruption agencies as put forward by opposition politicians. 

On Sunday, a coalition of opposition leaders accused the federal government of deploying the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intimidate and weaken political opponents, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

In a statement, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, described the opposition as failed politicians seeking scapegoats for their shortcomings.

He said claims that democracy is under threat because politicians are joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) are unfounded.

“Our constitution guarantees freedom of association and affords our people the right to change their political leanings at any time of their choosing,” the statement reads.

“None of the people who joined the governing APC was pressured to do so. They all did so of their own free will. They are being motivated by the noticeable gains of President Bola Tinubu’s reform programme.”

He asked whether Nigeria’s democracy was imperiled when politicians defected in droves to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) between 2000 and 2015.

Onanuga said ongoing investigations by the EFCC have exposed politicians who need to account for their stewardship in office.

He said those under investigation are now accusing Tinubu of weaponising the EFCC for political purposes.

“While the Presidency does not speak for the EFCC and believes the agency can speak for itself, we must reiterate that the EFCC is an independent institution established by law and empowered to carry out its statutory responsibilities without interference or favour,” Onanuga said.

“The agency’s mandate is to investigate and prosecute financial crimes, irrespective of the personalities involved, their political affiliations, or their positions in society.

“We find it curious that the same people who claimed they want to rescue Nigeria are now the ones waging a war of attrition against accountability and probity.

“Those who have cases to answer before EFCC should be bold and brave enough to defend themselves if they are clean.

“The agency’s mandate is to investigate and prosecute financial crimes, irrespective of the personalities involved, their political affiliations, or their positions in society.”

Onanuga said Tinubu does not issue directives to any anti-corruption agency on whom to investigate, arrest, or prosecute.

He said the president is focused on addressing national challenges rather than engaging in political targeting.

Onanuga said prosecution is carried out by the courts and not through political manipulation. He said those found not guilty will be cleared by the judicial process.

Onanuga described allegations of EFCC weaponisation as distractions by politicians running short of campaign issues.

He said no one is above the law and that political affiliation should not shield anyone from accountability.

“We have taken cognisance of the signatories to the statement. It is instructive that some of them were previously investigated and prosecuted by the EFCC even before President Tinubu took office in 2023,” he added.

“Some of these politicians have also been indicted in international financial probes for money laundering, with some of their accomplices jailed in foreign lands.”