Ahead of the 2027 general election, opposition leaders have warned that using government institutions to target elected officials and opposition figures is a serious threat to Nigeria’s democracy.
In a joint statement, the leaders said state institutions are increasingly being used to harass and intimidate opposition members. They also called for major legal reforms in how anti-corruption agencies operate.
The statement was signed by ADC National Chairman, Senator David Mark; former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; and former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi. Other signatories include Lawal Batagawara, Bode George, and John Odigie-Oyegun.
Their statement followed the detention of former Attorney General Abubakar Malami and former Labour Minister Senator Chris Ngige by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over alleged financial crimes. Malami has openly aligned with the ADC, while Ngige has distanced himself from the APC since leaving office.
The opposition leaders said they felt a duty to warn Nigerians and the international community that key institutions such as the EFCC, the Nigeria Police, and the ICPC are now widely seen as tools for political intimidation, selective justice, and the persecution of opposition leaders.
They said there is growing concern that state power is being used to silence political opponents, weaken opposition parties, and destroy Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.
According to them, there is a hidden plan to force all state governments into the ruling party by using anti-corruption agencies to intimidate opposition governors until they defect. They said recent defections by opposition governors have increased public suspicion that political pressure, not personal conviction, is behind these moves.
The leaders warned that this campaign is aimed not only at elected officials but also at key opposition figures seen as building alliances ahead of the 2027 elections. They said allowing this to continue would seriously harm Nigeria’s democratic future.
They also claimed that the EFCC’s actions are meant to weaken the opposition for the benefit of the ruling APC. They referred to a past statement by former APC National Chairman Adams Oshiomhole, who once said that joining the APC meant one’s “sins are forgiven.”
According to the opposition, this reflects a situation where allegations against ruling party members are ignored, while opposition figures face unproven accusations and media trials.
They cited cases where ministers resigned over alleged scandals but were never charged by the EFCC. One of them, they said, is now actively involved in the president’s re-election campaign. Another former minister resigned over a certificate issue but has still not been prosecuted months later.
The leaders said such selective enforcement weakens anti-corruption efforts and destroys public trust.
They also accused the government of empowering some politicians who defected from the opposition and were later appointed to federal positions. According to them, these individuals are being used to destabilise opposition parties through internal divisions, inducements, and court cases, allegedly funded with public money.
While describing the EFCC as an important institution for protecting Nigeria’s economy, they said many Nigerians fear that the agency is losing its independence.
They warned President Bola Tinubu that growing injustice and political tension could lead to serious unrest as the country approaches another election.
They called for immediate action to stop the trend and prevent a national crisis.
The opposition leaders demanded reforms to ensure that the EFCC operates independently and is free from political influence. They said the agency should focus on fighting real economic crimes, not selective prosecutions, media trials, or political intimidation.
They also urged Nigerians to defend multiparty democracy and prevent Nigeria from turning into a one-party state, citing Lagos as an example where opposition parties have been weakened over the past 25 years.
The leaders proposed placing anti-corruption officers directly into government payment systems to prevent fraud before and after spending occurs. They also said EFCC officials should be held responsible for financial crimes that go unnoticed under their supervision.
They called for amendments to the EFCC Act to support these reforms.
In addition, they asked the Attorney General and the National Assembly to set up an independent body to review public financial records of the federal, state, and local governments from 2015 to 2025. The body would publish its findings openly.
According to them, this review would expose selective prosecution and show that many current government officials and ruling-party states have avoided prosecution because of their political ties.
They proposed that the body be led by a respected judge and include representatives from civil society, the Nigerian Bar Association, professional bodies, security agencies, anti-graft agencies, and all political parties represented in the National Assembly.
Finally, the opposition leaders called on all Nigerians, regardless of party, religion, or region, to defend democracy. They said Nigeria’s democratic system is under serious threat due to the deliberate weakening of opposition parties, with the EFCC playing a central role.
They also said they plan to engage international partners, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, the European Union, the World Bank, and the United Nations, to raise concerns about the EFCC and demand reforms of the agency.
