Nigeria Opposition Leaders Accuse Government of Abuse of Power

A coalition of prominent opposition leaders in Nigeria has accused the federal government of using anti‑corruption agencies to intimidate and persecute political opponents. The group, which includes former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Senate President David Mark, says the government is weaponising state institutions such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to target dissenters under the pretext of fighting corruption.

According to the opposition, the EFCC and other agencies are being employed to enforce anti‑corruption laws selectively—overlooking allegations against members of the ruling party while aggressively pursuing accusations against opposition figures. They point to recent defections of opposition governors to the ruling party, arguing that these moves are driven by political pressure rather than genuine ideological or personal conviction. The leaders also cite the case of a former minister implicated in a financial scandal who has yet to be charged or arraigned by the EFCC, suggesting that such selective enforcement undermines the credibility of anti‑corruption efforts and erodes public trust in national institutions.

In response, the opposition leaders are calling for the creation of an independent review body to examine public accounts of the federal, state and local governments from 2015 to 2025. They propose that the body, chaired by an eminent judge, be granted unrestricted access to financial records and be required to publish its findings to expose patterns of selective prosecution. Additionally, they suggest embedding anti‑corruption operatives directly into government payment and expenditure processes to prevent financial crimes.

The coalition urges Nigerians to defend democracy, remain vigilant, and engage foreign partners and international organisations to voice concern over the growing politicisation of Nigeria’s anti‑graft agencies. The recent detention of former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami—who is being investigated for 18 offences, including alleged abuse of office and terrorism financing—has heightened worries about the EFCC’s independence. The opposition’s statement comes amid broader anxieties about the state of democracy in Nigeria, where the ruling party is accused of using state institutions to consolidate power and suppress dissent.