A coalition of prominent opposition leaders has alleged that the Federal Government is using anti-corruption agencies to intimidate and persecute opposition figures, warning that such actions could undermine multi-party democracy in the country.
In a joint statement on Sunday, the coalition accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of weaponising state institutions—particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Nigeria Police, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission—to target political opponents under the guise of fighting corruption.
DAILY POST reports that the statement was jointly signed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President and National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Senator David Mark; former Labour Party presidential candidate Mr Peter Obi; former Governor of Edo State, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; former Deputy National Chairman (South) of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Chief Olabode George; and former Minister of State for Defence, Lawal Batagarawa.
“Nigerians have witnessed what many now describe as a covert, undemocratic agenda: to ensure that all state governments fall under the control of the President’s party – not through transparent electoral contests, but by secretly intimidating opposition governors via the anti-corruption apparatus until they succumb and defect.
“Recent defections of opposition governors into the ruling party have reinforced public suspicion that political pressure, not ideological or personal persuasion, is driving this realignment.
“This pattern forms part of a broader project that targets not only elected leaders but also key opposition figures perceived as architects of emerging coalitions ahead of the 2027 general election.
“We must warn that this project, if allowed to continue unchecked, poses a grave danger to Nigeria’s democratic future,” the statement read.
