Atiku Slams Tinubu Over Tambuwal’s Arrest, Calls it Political Witch-Hunt

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused President Bola Tinubu of weaponising Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies to intimidate and weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections.

In a statement posted on his verified Facebook page on Tuesday, Atiku alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been turned into a political instrument to coerce opposition figures into defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

On Monday, the EFCC detained former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal over alleged financial misconduct.

The agency also invited former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha to answer corruption allegations linked to his brief tenure in office.

Atiku, however, claimed Tambuwal’s detention was politically motivated, describing it as part of a wider campaign to intimidate members of the opposition coalition seeking to challenge Tinubu in 2027.

“The only reason the EFCC has detained the former Governor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, is because he is a member of the opposition coalition,” Atiku said.

“It is a continuation of the Tinubu-led administration’s agenda to harass, intimidate, and decimate the opposition.”

The former vice president accused the government of “objectifying the fight against corruption” as a tool to force opposition politicians into the APC.

He argued that such tactics undermine Nigeria’s democratic institutions and embolden corruption rather than curbing it.

“We are witnessing a disturbing trend where the state and its operators act like bullies, turning anti-graft efforts into a political weapon,” Atiku continued. “Certainly, that is not the objective for which I worked hard during our administration to create the EFCC.”

While stressing the importance of tackling corruption, Atiku warned against politicising the process.

He urged civil society groups and Nigeria’s international partners to speak out against what he described as an “anti-democratic agenda.”

“It seems that anyone in the opposition becomes a target for phantom corruption allegations, but once they join the ruling party, their so-called sins are forgiven,” Atiku alleged.

He further claimed the EFCC has been instrumental in “emptying opposition state governors into the ruling party,” and warned that such tactics could pave the way for a one-party state.

“The genuine fight against corruption requires the support of all Nigerians,” Atiku concluded. “But the use of anti-graft agencies as political weapons must be roundly condemned.”

Atiku vowed that opposition leaders would resist any attempts to erode Nigeria’s multiparty democracy

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