Presidency to Opposition: Face EFCC, not the media

The Presidency has firmly rejected claims by opposition politicians that anti-corruption agencies are being weaponised to intimidate and weaken political opponents.

The response followed allegations by a coalition of opposition leaders who accused the federal government of deploying the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a tool of political persecution, warning that such actions could undermine Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

In a statement issued on Sunday, Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, described the accusations as unfounded and politically motivated, accusing the opposition of seeking scapegoats for their own shortcomings.

Onanuga dismissed claims that democracy is under threat because politicians are defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of association.

“Our constitution guarantees freedom of association and affords our people the right to change their political leanings at any time of their choosing,” the statement read.

“None of the people who joined the governing APC was pressured to do so. They all did so of their own free will and are motivated by the noticeable gains of President Bola Tinubu’s reform programme.”

He questioned whether Nigeria’s democracy was considered endangered during the period between 2000 and 2015 when politicians defected en masse to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The presidential aide noted that ongoing investigations by the EFCC have exposed public officials who must account for their time in office, adding that those facing scrutiny are now accusing the administration of political witch-hunting.

“While the Presidency does not speak for the EFCC and believes the agency can speak for itself, we must reiterate that the EFCC is an independent institution established by law,” Onanuga said.

“The agency’s mandate is to investigate and prosecute financial crimes, irrespective of personalities, political affiliations or social status.”

He added that President Tinubu does not issue directives to anti-corruption agencies on whom to investigate, arrest or prosecute, stressing that the president is focused on addressing pressing national challenges rather than engaging in political targeting.

According to him, prosecutions are determined by the courts, not by political influence, and individuals found innocent will be cleared through due judicial process.

Onanuga further described the allegations as distractions by politicians running out of campaign issues ahead of future elections, insisting that political affiliation should not shield anyone from accountability.

“No one is above the law,” he said.

He also pointed out that some of the signatories to the opposition statement were investigated or prosecuted by the EFCC long before Tinubu assumed office in 2023, while others have been linked to international money laundering probes.

“Those who have cases to answer before the EFCC should be bold enough to defend themselves if they are clean,” Onanuga added.

The Presidency reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability and the rule of law, urging Nigerians to see through what it described as politically motivated attempts to undermine the country’s anti-corruption institutions.

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