A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, has accused President Bola Tinubu of plotting to manipulate the 2027 general elections through alleged political intimidation and strategic appointments.
Eze, in a statement issued to the media on Wednesday, faulted the recent appointment of Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, a former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) official, as APC National Chairman. He alleged that the appointment was politically motivated and aimed at influencing the electoral process in favour of the ruling party.
The APC chieftain further condemned what he described as the “sudden activation of the EFCC’s attack mode” against perceived political opponents, warning that such tactics would not prevent the President from facing rejection at the polls.
“None of these acts—whether unleashing the EFCC on opposition politicians or appointing Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda to manipulate the process—will save Tinubu from returning to Lagos in 2027,” Eze said.
He argued that the next general election would not be a contest between the APC and other political parties but rather a referendum by Nigerians against a government he accused of “inhumane, clueless, and anti-people policies”.
Eze also alleged that the Tinubu administration is targeting former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), as part of its broader political strategy. He claimed that Malami is under investigation for at least five suspicious transactions during his tenure, including:
1. The $496 million settlement to Global Steel Holdings Ltd over the Ajaokuta Steel concession.
2. The disposal of forfeited assets worth billions of naira.
3. The $419 million Paris Club refund judgment debt to consultants.
4. The $200 million compensation to Sunrise Power in the Mambilla power project dispute.
5. The duplication of legal fees in the repatriation of $321 million Abacha loot from Switzerland.
While noting that corrupt officials should be held accountable, Eze criticised what he described as the selective and politically motivated application of anti-graft measures.
“Going after Buhari’s trusted minister is a calculated warning to opposition figures in the coalition movement. Tinubu wants to send a message that nobody will be spared in his bid to retain power,” he stated.
Eze concluded that the use of security and anti-corruption agencies such as the EFCC, DSS, Police, and ICPC to hound opposition figures before elections has become an outdated and ineffective political strategy.
