The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of using the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a political tool to intimidate and discredit opposition leaders ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The ADC, in response to the detention of former Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal and the EFCC’s sudden probe into ex-Imo Governor Emeka Ihedioha’s brief seven-month tenure, accused the agency of serving as a tool for selective justice.
This was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.
“When the fight against corruption targets only the opposition, it’s no longer justice but persecution. This is clearly witch-hunting, the APC using anti-corruption as a weapon to wage its political battles.”
The ADC also questioned the EFCC’s renewed interest in the tenure of its National Chairman, Senator David Mark, who left office as Senate President more than a decade ago.
“We therefore wonder what makes investigating him suddenly ‘urgent’ now,” Abdullahi said, pointing out that APC members with more recent and well-documented cases have not faced similar probes.
“These so-called investigations are nothing but staged media trials. They begin with an accusation, stir up scandal, and damage reputations. Whether the allegations have any merit doesn’t matter; it’s all just political theatre.”
The party accused the EFCC of turning a blind eye to allegations against politicians who defect to the APC.
The ADC said the probes were politically motivated moves aimed at intimidating and weakening opposition leaders before the 2027 elections, accusing the EFCC of sparing APC members while targeting rivals.
“Once a former governor defects to the APC, their case files disappear without a trace. Since Ifeanyi Okowa joined the ruling party, has anyone heard the EFCC mention his cases? What the EFCC is doing for the APC is undemocratic — it erodes public trust and damages the credibility of our justice system. State institutions belong to Nigerians, not to the ruling party.”
The statement urged Nigerians to raise their voices, push back, and insist that the EFCC end its political persecution.
The ADC warned that the trend poses a threat to democracy.
“Today, it is David Mark, Ihedioha, and Tambuwal. Tomorrow, it could be anyone who dares to hold this government accountable,” Abdullahi said
