Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has criticised the arrest of Senator Aminu Waziri Tambuwal by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing the agency of being weaponised for political purposes under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a statement shared via his official X (formerly Twitter) account, the opposition leader alleged that the anti-graft body is now being deployed to weaken dissenting voices and target members of the opposition coalition.
“The only reason the EFCC has detained Senator Tambuwal is because he belongs to the opposition coalition. This is part of the Tinubu-led administration’s agenda to harass, intimidate, and decimate the opposition,” Atiku claimed.
The former vice president, who played a key role in the creation of the EFCC, expressed concern that politicising the agency would erode public trust, compromise institutional integrity, and ultimately fuel rather than curb corruption.
Atiku’s remarks come amid growing debates over the independence of Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies and their role in a deeply polarised political climate.
