ADC Accuses APC of Using EFCC to Intimidate Opposition Ahead of 2027 Elections

The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) of weaponising the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to target and weaken opposition leaders in the build-up to the 2027 general elections.

In a statement issued on Tuesday by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the ADC alleged that the recent detention of former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and the EFCC’s sudden probe into the brief seven-month tenure of former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha were clear signs of selective justice.

“When the fight against corruption targets only the opposition, it’s no longer justice but persecution. This is clearly witch-hunting — the APC using anti-corruption as a weapon to wage its political battles,” Abdullahi stated.

The party also questioned the timing of the EFCC’s renewed interest in the tenure of its National Chairman, Senator David Mark, who left office as Senate President over a decade ago.

“We therefore wonder what makes investigating him suddenly ‘urgent’ now,” Abdullahi said, stressing that APC members with more recent and well-documented allegations have not been subjected to similar scrutiny.

According to the ADC, the anti-graft agency has become a platform for “staged media trials” designed to tarnish reputations. “These so-called investigations begin with an accusation, stir up scandal, and damage reputations. Whether the allegations have any merit doesn’t matter; it’s all just political theatre,” the statement read.

The party further accused the EFCC of turning a blind eye to alleged corruption cases involving politicians who defect to the APC. “Once a former governor defects to the APC, their case files disappear without a trace. Since Ifeanyi Okowa joined the ruling party, has anyone heard the EFCC mention his cases? What the EFCC is doing for the APC is undemocratic — it erodes public trust and damages the credibility of our justice system. State institutions belong to Nigerians, not to the ruling party,” Abdullahi said.

The ADC warned that such politically motivated actions pose a grave threat to Nigeria’s democracy. “Today, it is David Mark, Ihedioha, and Tambuwal. Tomorrow, it could be anyone who dares to hold this government accountable,” the statement cautioned.

The party urged Nigerians to speak out against what it described as “political persecution” and demand that state institutions operate independently, free from partisan influence.