Tambuwal’s Arrest, Detention Politically Motivated, Says Atiku

Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has asserted that the detention of the former Sokoto State governor, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is driven by political motives.

In a declaration on X, Atiku contended that the arrest constitutes a tactic by the Tinubu-led administration to intimidate and undermine the opposition.

He accused Tinubu’s government of wielding the anti-corruption campaign as a political instrument to coerce opposition leaders into aligning with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“It appears that anyone affiliated with the opposition becomes a target for fictitious corruption allegations, and once they are coerced into the political fold of President Bola Tinubu, their ‘transgressions’ are absolved.

“That is certainly not the method to fortify institutions. That, indisputably, is not the approach to combat the scourge of corruption. Indeed, such inclinations serve as a catalyst for corruption to flourish,” Atiku declared.

Atiku further claimed that he played a pivotal role in the establishment of the EFCC during his tenure, denouncing what he described as the agency’s deployment for partisan objectives.

He cautioned that such measures erode institutional integrity and foster corruption.

The former vice president alleged that anti-corruption agencies have been recently utilized to pressure political leaders into defecting to the APC, warning that this trend could culminate in a “one-party dictatorship.”

He implored Nigerians, civil society organizations, and the international community to denounce the politicization of the anti-corruption crusade.

“While the authentic battle against corruption demands the unwavering support of all Nigerians, its exploitation as a political agenda should be unequivocally condemned by all within the civil society sphere and Nigeria’s allies in the international community.

“In recent times, we have observed the use of anti-corruption agencies to coerce political leaders into the ruling party. Our assurance to Nigerians is that we shall never capitulate to these anti-democratic machinations designed to usher our populace into a one-party dictatorship,” Atiku articulated.