The Presidency on Sunday, December 14, dismissed claims that the All Progressives Congress (APC) pressured opposition politicians to defect, stating that recent political realignments were driven by the perceived successes of President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda.
In a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the Presidency also refuted allegations that anti-graft agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), are being used to intimidate the opposition.
Titled “A Failed Opposition Engaging in Subterfuge and the Empty Search for Scapegoats,” the statement emphasized that President Tinubu does not direct any anti-corruption agency on whom to investigate, arrest, or prosecute, and that the EFCC operates independently under the law.
The Presidency noted that Nigeria’s constitution guarantees freedom of association, allowing politicians to change their political affiliations voluntarily. “None of the people who joined the APC was coerced. Their decisions reflect confidence in the achievements of President Tinubu’s reforms,” the statement read.
The statement also addressed EFCC investigations, pointing out that the agency is statutorily empowered to probe financial crimes irrespective of political affiliation or social status. The Presidency criticized opposition claims of “weaponization,” calling them a distraction from the APC’s accomplishments in under three years.
Highlighting recent successes, the statement noted that EFCC actions contributed to Nigeria’s removal from the FATF grey list and stressed that political connections cannot shield anyone from accountability.
The Presidency concluded by urging opposition figures to respect the integrity of national institutions and warned against politicizing anti-corruption efforts to evade accountability.
