Reacting to criticisms from opposition figures, the Presidency said recent claims of threats to Nigeria’s democracy are unfounded and stem from politicians seeking to remain relevant.
In a statement on Sunday, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, described the allegations as “subterfuge and an empty search for scapegoats” by individuals unwilling to accept their declining political influence.
Onanuga emphasized that politicians defecting to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) did so voluntarily, pointing out that the Constitution guarantees freedom of association and the right to change political affiliation. He argued that the wave of defections reflects confidence in President Bola Tinubu’s reform agenda rather than coercion or intimidation, and questioned whether democracy was ever considered at risk when politicians defected en-masse to the Peoples Democratic Party between 2000 and 2015.
The presidential aide also dismissed claims that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is being politicized against opposition figures, stressing that the agency operates independently.
“President Tinubu does not direct any anti-corruption agency on whom to investigate, arrest, or prosecute,” Onanuga said. He added that the EFCC’s mandate applies to all Nigerians, regardless of political affiliation, and noted that many of the politicians raising concerns had already been investigated or prosecuted before Tinubu assumed office in 2023, while others had been implicated in international money laundering probes.
Onanuga described accusations of “weaponisation” as attempts to evade accountability and divert attention from governance reforms achieved under the current administration, including Nigeria’s removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list.
He urged political actors to respect national institutions and confront allegations against them through legal channels, rather than undermining anti-corruption efforts with politicized narratives.
“The fight against corruption is a collective responsibility”, Onanuga said, warning that political affiliation should not serve as a shield against accountability.
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