Analyst Urges APC Candidate Zachaeuous to Keep Tinubu Out of ICPC Probe

A public affairs analyst and civil society advocate, Victor Kalu, has urged the All Progressives Congress, APC, candidate for Ekiti South Federal Constituency I, Toyin Zachaeuous, to stop linking President Bola Tinubu to the corruption allegations being investigated by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC.

Kalu made the call during a briefing in Abuja on Friday, urging Zachaeuous to allow the ICPC investigation to run its course without political interference ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said the anti-corruption agency should be allowed to conduct its investigation independently and determine the facts surrounding the allegations against the APC candidate.

Kalu maintained that any attempt to pressure the ICPC into discontinuing the probe would undermine the investigation and create unnecessary controversy around the matter.

“So now, the pressure on the ICPC to step down is uncalled for in a defined case of corruption against Engr. Toyin Zachaeuous.

“So Nigerians must know the outcome of that. These allegations are just, did you do it or not? We are also following it to get his responses,” he said.

The analyst noted that several groups in the National Assembly, the Federal Capital Territory and Ekiti State had held press conferences either in support of or against Zachaeuous over the allegations.

According to him, the controversy could negatively affect Nigeria’s image if the name of the President is repeatedly invoked in relation to the matter.

Kalu questioned the basis for presenting Zachaeuous as Tinubu’s candidate in defending him against the allegations, stressing that the President should not be portrayed as endorsing any action that could be considered contrary to the law.

InfoStride News reports that the ICPC had invited Zachaeuous over alleged corruption, with the investigation becoming a subject of public debate as political activities ahead of the 2027 elections intensify.

Kalu urged all parties involved to allow the relevant institutions to perform their statutory responsibilities, saying the outcome of the investigation should be determined by the available evidence rather than political affiliations or claims of presidential backing.