EFCC Accused of Targeting David Mark After Tambuwal, Ihedioha – ADC

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is selectively targeting opposition leaders in politically driven investigations, claiming that its latest focus is on the party’s Interim National Chairman and former Senate President, David Mark.

In a statement released by Acting National Publicity Secretary Bola Abdullahi on Tuesday, the ADC accused the anti-graft agency of launching a “coordinated media trial” against figures in the opposition coalition. This, the party said, follows the detention of former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal on Monday and the recent invitation extended to former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha.

Abdullahi alleged that the EFCC has begun revisiting files from Mark’s tenure as Senate President ten years after he left office questioning the timing and motive. He claimed that the agency’s focus on long-past allegations against opposition figures, while allegedly overlooking recent and well-documented cases involving members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), signaled a pattern of selective justice and an attack on political freedom.

The ADC suggested the actions were part of the APC’s broader plan to weaken the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections, urging citizens to speak out against what it called a “politically motivated witch-hunt disguised as an anti-corruption campaign.”

Abdullahi further stated, “The detention of Senator Aminu Tambuwal marks the beginning of a deliberate effort to intimidate key leaders of the opposition and damage their public image through orchestrated media trials. We find it questionable that after more than five years since Emeka Ihedioha’s short seven-month tenure as Imo State governor, his investigation has suddenly become urgent.”

He accused the ruling party of using the EFCC as a tool to discredit opponents, alleging that “whether or not the accusations have merit is irrelevant to them, the goal is the spectacle.”

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also weighed in, accusing President Bola Tinubu of using the fight against corruption as a weapon to pressure opposition leaders into joining the APC. In a statement posted on his verified Facebook page, Atiku said, “It appears that anyone aligned with the opposition becomes a target for baseless corruption charges, but once they join the ruling party, their alleged offences are forgiven. This undermines the genuine fight against corruption and instead fuels its growth.”

Similarly, the Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) criticized the EFCC’s actions, describing the agency as “a submissive tool for carrying out the ruling party’s political agenda.” HURIWA’s National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the aim was to “cripple the opposition before the 2027 elections,” adding that “the EFCC is no longer the fearless institution it was intended to be.”

EFCC, Presidency Respond

The EFCC rejected the allegations, calling them “self-serving and unfounded.” EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede said, “Corruption has no political party. Fraud is fraud. We have investigated and prosecuted figures from across the political spectrum, including members of the ruling party.” He emphasized that the commission has ongoing cases involving senior APC members over corruption allegations.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga also distanced President Tinubu from the EFCC’s actions, stating, “We represent the President, not the EFCC. You would have to ask the EFCC directly if they are politicizing arrests. It is not our role to defend or justify their investigations.”