Atiku Condemns EFCC’s Detention Of Tambuwal As Political Witch-Hunt.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has strongly criticised the detention of Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, the former Governor of Sokoto State, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), labelling it a politically motivated move by the Tinubu-led administration to silence opposition voices. In a statement issued on Tuesday, 12 August 2025, Atiku, a prominent figure in the opposition Coalition, accused the government of weaponising the fight against corruption to harass and intimidate political opponents.
Atiku alleged that Tambuwal’s detention is part of a broader strategy to coerce opposition leaders into joining the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). He claimed the administration has turned anti-corruption efforts into a tool for political manipulation, targeting those who align with the opposition while seemingly absolving those who defect to the ruling party. “It is as though anyone who associates with the opposition is a target for phantom corruption allegations, and their ‘sins’ are forgiven as soon as they are coerced into the political agenda of President Tinubu,” Atiku stated.
The former Vice President, who played a key role in establishing the EFCC during his tenure, expressed dismay at what he described as the agency’s misuse. He argued that the current approach undermines the institution’s original purpose and provides a “stimulant for corruption to thrive” rather than combating it. Atiku pointed to a growing trend where state governors and other opposition figures are pressured into joining the APC, citing recent examples as evidence of a deliberate pattern.
Atiku called for widespread condemnation of this tactic, urging civil society and Nigeria’s international partners to reject the politicisation of anti-corruption efforts. He warned that such actions threaten democratic principles and risk pushing Nigeria towards a one-party state. “We have seen how the EFCC has been used to empty opposition state governors into the ruling party, and the tea party is not about to end anytime soon,” he remarked.
The statement comes amid heightened tensions following Tambuwal’s detention over allegations of illicit cash withdrawals totalling ₦189 billion, as reported by some media outlets. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto State and other opposition groups have echoed Atiku’s sentiments, describing the EFCC’s actions as a “blatant political witch-hunt” aimed at weakening the opposition.[](https://x.com/Naija_PR/status/1955163341401284722)
Atiku reaffirmed the opposition’s commitment to resisting what he called “anti-democratic machinations.” He stressed that while the fight against corruption deserves the support of all Nigerians, its exploitation as a political tool must be opposed to safeguard the nation’s democratic institutions. As debates over the EFCC’s role intensify, Atiku’s remarks have sparked renewed discussions about the independence of Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies and the state of democracy under the current administration.
