The African Democratic Congress (ADC) Vanguard has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of plotting to arrest prominent opposition leaders, warning that such moves could deepen political tensions in the country.
In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account on Wednesday, the mobilisation wing of the ADC coalition alleged that figures including former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, ex-Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, former Senate President David Mark, ex-Attorney General Abubakar Malami, and former Imo State Governor Emeka Ihedioha were being targeted in what it described as a politically motivated clampdown.
According to the group, the plan, if carried out, would mark a dangerous misuse of state institutions, particularly the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to settle political scores rather than pursue justice.
“We support a genuine fight against corruption that is transparent, evidence-based, and fair to all,” the statement read.
“However, we reject the use of anti-graft agencies as tools for political persecution through selective arrests, media trials, and orchestrated leaks.”
The ADC Vanguard pointed to recent events, including the detention of former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal and renewed investigations into long-closed cases involving opposition figures, as examples that fuel public suspicion about selective prosecution.
The group challenged the EFCC to publicly clarify whether there is any directive to conduct mass arrests and to ensure that all investigations, whether involving ruling party members or the opposition, follow the same legal standards.
It also urged the Presidency to distance itself from any such plan and reaffirm the independence of anti-corruption institutions. “The rule of law cannot be applied only when it is politically convenient,” the group stressed.
The ADC Vanguard further called for the establishment of a publicly accessible case-tracking portal for high-profile corruption cases, arguing that such transparency would help restore public trust in Nigeria’s justice system.
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