By Mary Onyia
The African Democratic Alliance (ADC) has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of engaging in politically motivated “witch-hunting” targeted at high-profile opposition figures, allegedly at the behest of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a strongly worded statement, the ADC claimed the EFCC has become a political tool to intimidate and weaken the opposition. Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar also weighed in, warning that the agency was being used to coerce political realignments and erode institutional integrity.
The row follows a string of arrests involving prominent ADC members. Last week, former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal was detained for over 24 hours in connection with an alleged ₦189 billion fraud linked to suspicious cash withdrawals during his tenure. He was later granted bail.
The EFCC has also reportedly reopened investigations into the tenure of former Senate President and current ADC interim chairman, David Mark, reviewing records from his 2007–2015 leadership of the National Assembly—more than a decade after he left office.
Similarly, former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha has been questioned over corruption allegations. The ADC described the timing and manner of these probes—years after the alleged offences—as “selective justice,” accusing the Commission of ignoring more recent, well-documented corruption cases involving members of the ruling party.
Responding via a statement on X, EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede dismissed the ADC’s accusations as “self-serving, diversionary, narrow and idle.” He insisted that all corruption allegations, regardless of political affiliation, must be investigated, stressing that there is no statute of limitation on criminal probes.