The arrest of Nigerian Senator Aminu Tambuwal by the country’s anti-corruption agency has sparked accusations of political intimidation from his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), amid heightened tensions between the opposition and President Bola Tinubu’s administration. Tambuwal, a former governor of Sokoto State and one-time Speaker of the House of Representatives, was detained by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday over allegations of financial mismanagement during his tenure as governor from 2015 to 2023.
In a sharply worded statement released Tuesday, the PDP’s Sokoto chapter denounced the arrest as a “calculated move” by the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to undermine dissent. The party’s publicity secretary, Hassan Sanyinnawal, framed the investigation as a revival of an “old case” that previously yielded no evidence, alleging the EFCC was weaponized to pressure Tambuwal into silencing his critiques of governance failures. “Political actors in Sokoto and Abuja aim to smear his reputation and stifle his voice,” Sanyinnawal claimed, while asserting that Tambuwal’s administration had maintained fiscal transparency.
The PDP accused the EFCC of “selective prosecution,” arguing that legitimate corruption inquiries involving APC members have been sidelined. The statement urged anti-graft bodies to operate independently of political influence and called on supporters to remain vigilant in advocating for democratic accountability. “Our faith in Tambuwal’s integrity remains unbroken,” the party added, framing the probe as part of a broader pattern of stifling opposition under Tinubu’s government.
Tambuwal’s detention comes amid rising scrutiny of Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts, which critics argue increasingly target political rivals. As a prominent figure who once oversaw the national legislature, his case has drawn attention to the intersection of legal accountability and partisan conflicts. The EFCC has not yet issued a detailed response to the PDP’s allegations, though the agency has historically defended its mandate as impartial and evidence-driven.
The controversy underscores longstanding concerns about Nigeria’s political climate, where anti-corruption campaigns are frequently viewed through a partisan lens. Tambuwal, now a senator representing Sokoto South, remains a vocal advocate for subnational autonomy and fiscal reforms, positioning him as a leading opposition voice. Observers note the case could further galvanize debates about governance and the rule of law ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections. The PDP’s decision to publicly challenge the arrest signals an escalation in political hostilities, with implications for Nigeria’s democratic stability.
