Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has accused Nigeria’s anti-corruption institutions of veering off their statutory duties and becoming tools for political persecution, particularly against opposition figures.
In a statement released by his media office in Abuja on Thursday, Atiku criticized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other anti-graft agencies for what he described as partisan conduct. He warned that unless they “cleanse themselves of political bias,” they risk losing all legitimacy in the eyes of Nigerians.
Reacting to the arrest and detention of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami (SAN), Atiku said the EFCC was drifting away from the principles upon which it was created.
According to him, the agency is now “driven by narrow political motives,” selecting its targets based on party affiliation rather than factual evidence. He argued that this shift has severely damaged the EFCC’s credibility and undermined its founding mission.
Atiku labelled Malami’s arrest as part of a recurring pattern of selectively targeting opposition members, alleging that the EFCC had become an “overzealous arm of the ruling APC” working to weaken dissent and create a de facto one-party system.
He questioned why the EFCC suddenly intensified its activities only after the African Democratic Congress (ADC) became a formidable opposition force. He cited simultaneous actions against Malami and former Sokoto Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal as examples, while alleging that corruption cases involving loyalists of the ruling party were being ignored.
The former Vice President further argued that individuals with unresolved corruption allegations were being rewarded with government appointments under President Bola Tinubu, noting that the EFCC raised no objections to such placements.
He added that if Malami had crossed over to the APC, “the EFCC would have ignored him, even if he emptied the CBN vault,” claiming that the agency routinely pressures politicians to defect—and drops their cases once they comply.
Atiku stressed that no meaningful anti-corruption effort can succeed when institutions lack independence and are manipulated for partisan advantage. He called on the EFCC’s leadership to “free itself from political interference,” insisting that the agency’s reputation is too vital to be sacrificed for political gain.
The statement was issued by the Atiku Media Office in Abuja and dated December 11, 2025.
