Bolaji Abdullahi
ADC Demands EFCC Reform Amid Allegations of Politically-Motivated Probes
By Abayomi Bolatito
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over its recent investigations into former Senate President David Mark, ex-Governor Emeka Ihedioha, and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, describing the probes as a blatant attempt to intimidate and discredit opposition figures.
The party contends that the timing and selective nature of these investigations expose the EFCC’s alleged role as a political tool rather than an impartial anti-corruption agency. Noting that these opposition leaders have been out of office for years, the ADC questions why the EFCC is only now prioritizing these cases, particularly as political tensions rise ahead of key electoral periods.
This pattern, according to the ADC, fits a disturbing trend where opposition voices face relentless scrutiny while ruling party allies enjoy apparent immunity from prosecution despite similar allegations. The party warns that such tactics undermine Nigeria’s democracy by creating a climate of fear, discouraging dissent, and eroding public confidence in law enforcement institutions.
While the EFCC maintains that its actions are strictly evidence-based, critics point to the agency’s long history of facing accusations of political bias under different administrations. The ADC’s latest outcry reinforces concerns that Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework lacks sufficient safeguards against abuse, allowing successive governments to weaponize agencies like the EFCC against perceived opponents.
The development has sparked renewed calls from civil society for institutional reforms to insulate law enforcement from political interference. As the controversy grows, it risks further polarizing Nigeria’s already tense political landscape, with opposition groups likely to frame the probes as proof of the ruling party’s authoritarian tendencies.
At stake is not just the fate of individual politicians but the credibility of Nigeria’s entire anti-corruption system. Without urgent measures to restore the EFCC’s independence and public trust, the ADC warns, Nigeria’s democracy may continue its troubling slide toward political persecution masquerading as accountability.
