The Deputy National Youth Leader of the African Democratic Congress, Chinonso Obasi, has criticised the detention and questioning of former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, describing it as a politically motivated attack on opposition voices.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, Obasi accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of using the anti-graft agency as a tool to suppress dissent, particularly targeting members of opposition parties like the ADC.
“This is not about justice. This is about silencing dissent. This is about weaponising state power to intimidate the opposition ahead of 2027,” Obasi stated. “This is about sending a chilling message to every voice that dares to challenge the ruling cabal.”
Obasi described the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) as “terrible at governance” and suggested that Tambuwal’s release from custody posed a political threat to the party, referring to the former governor as “a big fish.” He also lauded Tambuwal’s legacy, describing him as a man of integrity with “cemented achievements” that have made him a “dinosaur” in Nigeria’s political arena.
Calling on various segments of society—including students, workers, farmers, market women, clergy, and unemployed youth—Obasi urged resistance against what he termed the partisan capture of key national institutions.
“The EFCC belongs to the people, not to the APC. The constitution belongs to the people, not to the APC. Nigeria belongs to all of us, and we will not sit idly by while they turn it into the private estate of a political cartel,” he said.
He further demanded an end to what he described as the harassment of opposition figures and called for transparency in all EFCC operations, including cases involving members of the ruling party.
“It is Tambuwal today. Tomorrow, it could be any other opposition figure, journalist, activist, or citizen who dares to speak the truth,” Obasi warned. “We will not bow. We will not be silenced. We will not stop fighting for a Nigeria where justice wears no political uniform.”
