The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has rejected allegations by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that it is targeting opposition politicians. The anti-graft agency maintained that its investigations cut across political lines, covering both ruling party members and opposition figures accused of corruption.
Speaking on the matter, EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, said the Commission’s mandate is non-partisan.
“If I am not condemned for investigating both former and serving ruling party governors and ministers, I should not be condemned for also investigating opposition figures,” he stated.
The ADC had accused the EFCC of issuing politically motivated summonses without new evidence in order to intimidate opposition leaders. In response, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, described such claims as “self-serving and diversionary,” insisting that there are no sacred cows in the fight against corruption. He noted that court records show politicians from various political parties currently face trial, while several serving governors across party lines are under investigation.
Oyewale warned that the EFCC will not yield to political pressure or disclose details of ongoing discreet investigations.
“Fraud is fraud. Corruption is corruption, they remained the name. There is no protected interest or partisan consideration in our work,” he said.
The EFCC urged political parties to address their internal issues and allow the agency to carry out its duties without distractions.
However, despite EFCC’s defence, both the ADC and the PDP insist that the All Progressives Congress (APC)-led Federal Government is using the Commission as a political weapon.
In a statement, ADC Interim National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, alleged that the recent detention of former Sokoto State Governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, and the invitation to probe former Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha, were clear moves to discredit prominent opposition figures.
The party also questioned the sudden decision to investigate its acting National Chairman, Senator David Mark, ten years after he left office as Senate President.
“A fight against corruption that begins and ends with the opposition is not justice and it is persecution,” the statement read.
The ADC further claimed that corruption cases involving ruling party members “gather dust” once they defect to the APC, citing the absence of EFCC action against some high-profile defectors.
Also the PDP’s Sokoto State chapter condemned Tambuwal’s arrest, calling it a politically motivated attempt to silence him. In a statement by its Publicity Secretary, Hassan Sahabi Sanyinnawal, the party described the probe as a “revived phantom case” aimed at tarnishing Tambuwal’s image.
The party insisted that Tambuwal’s administration was characterised by transparency and fiscal discipline, and accused the EFCC of ignoring “genuine corruption cases” involving ruling party figures.
“Our trust in Tambuwal’s integrity cannot be shaken by politically motivated probes,” the statement declared.
Both opposition parties urged the EFCC to maintain professionalism, warning that using state institutions for partisan purposes undermines democracy and public trust.
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