By Onyeanya Ebere Immaculata
A coalition of opposition leaders has accused the Federal Government of using anti-corruption agencies to intimidate political opponents, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
In a joint statement issued on Sunday, the leaders alleged that agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), were being weaponised under the guise of fighting corruption.
The statement was signed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President David Mark; former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; former Edo State governor, John Odigie-Oyegun; PDP chieftain, Olabode George; and former Minister of State for Defence, Lawal Batagarawa.
They claimed opposition-controlled states and figures were being pressured into the ruling party, citing recent defections and warning that the alleged strategy could undermine democratic competition ahead of the 2027 elections.
The leaders accused the EFCC of selective enforcement, alleging that corruption cases involving ruling party members were ignored while opposition figures were subjected to aggressive prosecution and media trials.
They called for the establishment of an independent review body to examine public accounts from 2015 to 2025 and urged Nigerians to remain vigilant, insisting that democracy must not be weakened through intimidation or selective justice.
