Nigerian Senator and former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Waziri Tambuwal has accused the country’s anti-corruption agency of political intimidation after being questioned over alleged financial misconduct. Speaking to supporters at his Sokoto residence following a public welcome, the opposition figure dismissed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) probe as pressure to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“They underestimate my resolve. Intimidation and blackmail won’t erase my decades of service,” said Tambuwal, referencing his political career spanning over two decades. He highlighted roles including House of Representatives Minority Leader (2003), Deputy Chief Whip (2007), Speaker (2011), Sokoto governor (2015–2023), and current senator. A ₦189 billion ($123 million) graft allegation, he claimed, lacked merit, emphasizing that past state-level investigations cleared him of wrongdoing.
The senator framed the probe within Nigeria’s contentious political landscape, alleging the APC aims to sideline opponents ahead of the 2027 general elections. He vowed the opposition would unite to challenge what he called the ruling party’s “anti-people policies” and “misgovernance,” attributing nationwide insecurity and economic hardship to its leadership. “Their policies lack compassion. Nigerians are ready for change,” he stated, urging citizens to reject the APC.
Tambuwal’s remarks come amid heightened tensions between Nigeria’s opposition and the administration of President Bola Tinubu, elected in 2023. While the EFCC has not publicly detailed its investigation, such probes often spark claims of political targeting in Nigeria’s polarized environment. The senator’s push to rally supporters underscores growing opposition efforts to position the 2027 polls as a referendum on the APC, which has faced criticism over inflation and security challenges.
Asserting confidence in electoral reforms, Tambuwal declared, “No rigging will be tolerated. By 2027, Nigerians will reclaim their mandate.” His rhetoric reflects broader debates about accountability and democratic integrity in Africa’s most populous nation, where allegations of financial impropriety and partisan bias in anti-corruption efforts remain recurring themes.
As political alignments evolve ahead of the next election cycle, Tambuwal’s defiance signals potential friction between Nigeria’s institutions and opposition leaders framing their resistance as a fight for transparency and public welfare.
