THIS DAWN — The Presidency has dismissed claims by opposition politicians that Nigeria’s multi-party democracy is under threat, describing the allegations as baseless, diversionary, and a desperate attempt to regain relevance.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Sunday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Tinubu on Information and Strategy, the government accused opposition figures of engaging in “subterfuge and the empty search for scapegoats” rather than addressing their own failures.
According to the statement, the opposition’s concerns stemmed from the recent wave of defections by prominent politicians to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The Presidency insisted that these moves were voluntary and motivated by the “noticeable gains” of President Tinubu’s reform agenda.
“None of the people who joined the governing APC was pressured to do so.
“They all did so of their own free will,” Onanuga said, adding that freedom of association is guaranteed under Nigeria’s constitution.
The statement questioned why similar mass defections to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) between 2000 and 2015 were not considered a threat to democracy.
EFCC Allegations Rejected
The Presidency also addressed accusations that President Tinubu is “weaponising” the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to target political opponents.
Onanuga stressed that the EFCC is an independent institution established by law, empowered to investigate and prosecute financial crimes without interference.
“President Tinubu does not issue directives to any anti-corruption agency on whom to investigate, arrest, or prosecute.
“The EFCC’s mandate is clear: to investigate financial crimes irrespective of personalities, affiliations, or positions in society,” the statement read.
Onanuga argued that politicians facing EFCC scrutiny should defend themselves in court if they are confident of their innocence, rather than attempting to discredit the agency.
He noted that some of the opposition figures making allegations had previously been investigated and prosecuted by the EFCC before Tinubu assumed office in 2023.
Anti-Corruption Gains Highlighted
The Presidency highlighted Nigeria’s recent removal from the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) grey list as evidence of progress in the fight against corruption.
It warned that attempts to politicise EFCC investigations could undermine national institutions and weaken collective resolve against graft.
“No one is above the law. Everyone must be accountable for their actions, both in and out of office,” Onanuga stated.
The release further alleged that some opposition leaders had been indicted in international financial probes, with accomplices already serving jail terms abroad.
Opposition Accused of Distraction
The Presidency described the opposition’s allegations as distractions from the APC’s achievements in less than three years of Tinubu’s administration.
It accused critics of running short of campaign issues and resorting to “jaundiced narratives” to escape accountability.
“The fight against corruption is a collective responsibility and should not be trivialised by baseless allegations,” the statement concluded.
With this latest rebuttal, the Presidency has signaled its determination to defend ongoing reforms and anti-corruption efforts, while dismissing opposition claims as politically motivated.
