Opposition Leaders Warn of Risks to Nigeria’s Multi-Party Democracy

Prominent opposition leaders have sounded the alarm over what they describe as a deliberate effort by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration to weaken Nigeria’s multi-party democracy through the politicisation of anti-corruption agencies.

In a joint statement released on Sunday, the leaders accused the Federal Government of using institutions such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Nigeria Police, and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to intimidate and target political opponents under the guise of fighting corruption.

The statement was signed by former Vice President Atiku Abubakar; former Senate President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) National Chairman, Senator David Mark; Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi; former Edo State Governor, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun; former PDP Deputy National Chairman (South), Chief Olabode George; and former Minister of State for Defence, Mallam Lawal Batagarawa.

They warned that Nigeria is at risk of drifting toward a one-party state, alleging that opposition governors and political leaders are being pressured by anti-graft agencies to defect to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

“State power is being deployed not for a genuine fight against corruption, but for the systematic persecution of perceived political opponents ahead of the 2027 general election,” the statement said.

The opposition figures accused the EFCC of selective enforcement, claiming that while opposition figures are subjected to aggressive investigations and media trials, allegations against ruling party members are ignored or quietly dropped.

They pointed to public perceptions of unequal justice, including previous statements attributed to a former APC national chairman suggesting that defectors’ “sins are forgiven,” arguing that such narratives have eroded public trust in anti-corruption institutions.

The leaders called for an independent review of federal, state, and local government accounts from 2015 to 2025 to expose selective prosecution and restore confidence in anti-graft efforts. They also proposed embedding anti-corruption operatives within government payment systems to prevent financial crimes and amending the EFCC Act to strengthen the agency’s independence and preventive mandate.

Finally, the leaders urged Nigerians to remain vigilant in defending the country’s democratic space, warning that unchecked political injustice could threaten national stability.