Presidency Denies Use of EFCC to Witch-hunt Opposition

The Nigerian Presidency has staunchly rejected allegations that President Bola Tinubu is deploying the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to target opposition figures.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, in a statement released Sunday given to Persecondnews, dismissed the claims as “baseless and self-serving.”

Onanuga further asserted that recent defections to the All Progressives Congress (APC) were entirely voluntary, motivated by the politicians’ faith in President Tinubu’s ongoing reform agenda

“Our Constitution guarantees freedom of association and the right to change political affiliation at any time,” Onanuga said, emphasizing that no individual was coerced into joining the governing party.

Onanuga dismissed allegations that the EFCC was being weaponized, stressing that the anti-graft agency is independent and operates within its statutory mandate.

“President Tinubu does not issue directives to any anti-corruption agency on whom to investigate, arrest, or prosecute,” he said, urging those with cases before the EFCC to defend themselves through due process rather than politicize accountability.

The Presidency noted that some critics had faced EFCC investigations even before Tinubu assumed office in 2023, and that allegations against the government were distractions by politicians running out of issues to challenge the administration.

“No one is above the law. Political affiliation should not shield anyone from investigation,” Onanuga said.

Onanuga urged political actors to respect national institutions and support the collective fight against corruption.

“The fight against corruption is a shared responsibility and must not be trivialised by politicised narratives.”