The arrest of former Sokoto State governor and ex-Speaker of the House of Representatives, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has triggered sharp reactions across Northern Nigeria, with many alleging political bias.
Tambuwal was detained on Monday at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja over alleged cash withdrawals totaling ₦189 billion during his tenure as governor, in violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. He was questioned for several hours before being released.
While the EFCC insists its investigations are impartial and not driven by party affiliations, critics — including prominent northern figures — accuse the anti-graft agency of targeting opposition politicians while shielding members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar claimed the Tinubu administration is weaponising the EFCC to intimidate opponents. Similarly, former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi said Nigeria’s anti-corruption campaign must be fair, transparent, and free from partisanship. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) also condemned the arrest, branding it a politically motivated move that erodes public trust.
Northern activist Mahdi Shehu went further, accusing the EFCC of “dancing naked” and turning a blind eye to major scandals involving politically connected figures. He cited alleged uninvestigated cases, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) missing ₦210 trillion between 2017 and 2023, the disappearance of $7 billion meant for refinery repairs, and questionable payments at the Central Bank of Nigeria.
Shehu also questioned why the EFCC has not probed Minister of Power Bayo Adelabu, who recently showcased a lavish mansion, alleging that opposition politicians are pursued aggressively while those aligned with the ruling party enjoy protection.
Adnan Mukhtar Tudunwada, a former Kano State House of Assembly aspirant, described Tambuwal’s arrest as “purely political” and linked it to the ex-governor’s criticism of the Tinubu administration. He accused the EFCC of abandoning neutrality and integrity in its mandate.
However, not all voices dismissed the EFCC’s actions as political. Public affairs advocate Rabiu Musa urged Nigerians to focus on the substance of the allegations rather than the politics surrounding the case. “If there’s evidence of wrongdoing, the law should take its course,” he said.
Tambuwal’s arrest has reignited a national debate on whether Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight is genuine or a tool for settling political scores.
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