The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of politically motivated intimidation, following fresh summons to key members of the 2027 opposition coalition seeking to unseat President Bola Tinubu.
The development comes as the EFCC on Monday interrogated former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, over alleged fraudulent cash withdrawals totalling ₦189bn — transactions suspected to contravene the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Tambuwal, who served as governor between 2015 and 2023, arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja at about 11:30 a.m. and was questioned by investigators. While EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale declined comment, ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, confirmed that three former governors in the coalition had been invited by the anti-graft agency.
“This is an attempt to force them out of the coalition or intimidate them into silence,” Abdullahi alleged. In a statement, the ADC accused the EFCC of reopening stale cases against opposition figures while ignoring corruption allegations involving members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The EFCC, however, dismissed the allegations as “untenable and ridiculous,” challenging the ADC to provide evidence. Oyewale maintained that the commission operates strictly within its mandate and remains non-partisan.
Multiple coalition sources told The PUNCH that the EFCC’s actions had heightened anxiety within the bloc, already strained by internal divisions. Last month, the Obidient Movement accused the ADC of sidelining its members from key decision-making, while prominent politicians — including former Lagos Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, ex-Ekiti Governor Kayode Fayemi, and former SGF Boss Mustapha — publicly distanced themselves from the coalition.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has also delayed his planned formal defection to the ADC amid speculation that former President Goodluck Jonathan may enter the 2027 race.
In a related development, the ADC’s 2023 governorship candidates endorsed the resignation of National Chairman Ralph Okey Nwosu and backed Deputy National Chairman Nafiu Bala as acting leader. Bala pledged to strengthen internal democracy, unity, and strategic alliances within the party.
Despite the mounting pressures, Abdullahi insisted the coalition remained committed to “rescuing Nigeria” ahead of the 2027 elections.
