The All Progressives Congress has dismissed claims that politicians who defect to the ruling party are shielded from investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
The APC National Vice Chairman for the North East, Mustapha Salihu, said membership of the party does not confer immunity from investigation or prosecution.
Salihu spoke on Saturday night at his private residence in Yola, Adamawa State, while addressing journalists on public perceptions surrounding political defections and the fight against corruption.
He described the narrative as a calculated attempt to discredit the administration of President Bola Tinubu, insisting that the government remains resolute in its anti-corruption stance and commitment to accountability.
His remarks followed comments by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, who recently alleged that the APC had become a safe haven for individuals evading EFCC scrutiny.
“It is my belief that more patriots will soon join us even as the PDP self-destructs and the APC becomes a haven for EFCC fugitives,” Babachir said.
He further accused the ruling party of being “delusional,” claiming it intended to manipulate electoral outcomes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“This is pure delusion because it will not happen. Nigerians will back us to frustrate any criminal manipulation of the 2027 election results,” Babachir added.
Reacting to the allegations, Salihu rejected the claims and urged critics to present concrete evidence rather than make broad accusations.
He said individuals with credible information against any APC member should submit formal petitions, stressing that the party would not protect anyone found culpable.
According to him, several APC members are already being held accountable, with some reportedly returning misappropriated funds to government authorities.
“A lot of APC chieftains have done free bargain, and they are returning money. Anyone that stole money will be prosecuted, even if you join APC, because this administration has zero tolerance for corruption, as corruption killed the economy of the country,” he said.
Salihu also spoke on the formation of the APC, noting that the party emerged as a coalition to unseat former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“We succeeded, and Jonathan was sent out of power,” he said.
He explained that ideological divisions surfaced within the party after the 2015 election victory.
“After that, people with a one-party ideology of policy-seeking coalition stayed on one side, and political pirates or buccaneers stayed on the other side,” Salihu stated.
He added that those driven purely by the quest for power eventually exited the party, while members committed to governance and policy development remained.
“The power-seeking coalition is no longer in APC because they could not get what they wanted, but for the majority, we were a policy-seeking coalition, so we remain to build the country,” he said.
Commenting on opposition parties, Salihu predicted that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) would not survive beyond the 2027 general elections.
He described the ADC as a power-driven alliance lacking cohesion.
“ADC is a power-seeking coalition, so it would not last, because 80 per cent of the people that joined or fused into ADC are presidential candidates,” he said.
According to Salihu, competing ambitions within the party would inevitably trigger internal crises.
“They already have a notion of a Messianic attitude, so nobody is going to step down or support another candidate,” he added.
He warned that once such ambitions fail, members would defect in search of new political platforms.
“This power-seeking coalition will not agree, and there is no compromise among them; it is winners-take-all. Immediately, what they are looking for does not materialise, they will take off to another new party,” he said.
On speculation that Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri may defect to the APC, Salihu said political negotiations are usually conducted privately.
“Our job in APC is to woo everyone into the party. I will be happy if Fintiri joins my party today,” he said.
He stressed that preventing individuals from changing political affiliation runs contrary to democratic values.
“It is criminal and undemocratic to stop anyone from joining any group of their interest,” Salihu stated.
“If he comes to APC, good; but if he does not, I will wish him well. But I will not wish him good luck,” he added.
