Prominent voices from Northern Nigeria have begun reacting to the arrest of former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, describing it as a development that could have far-reaching political implications.
Some northern leaders say the arrest raises concerns over political witch-hunting, while others insist the law must take its course, regardless of status.
Recall that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday detained Aminu Tambuwal, for questioning over alleged fraudulent cash withdrawals to the tune of ₦189 billion.
Tambuwal, a former Speaker of the House of Representatives and two-term Sokoto State governor, was detained and interrogated by detectives when he visited the EFCC headquarters in Abuja at about 11 a.m. on Monday.
Investigators allege that during his time as governor, he breached the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022, by making massive cash withdrawals.
Several individuals and groups have condemned the arrest. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the African Democratic Congress (ADC) both described it as politically motivated.
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar accused the Tinubu administration of using the EFCC to harass and intimidate the opposition, while former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi faulted the arrest, saying Nigeria’s anti-corruption fight must be fair and transparent. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) also criticised the move, calling it a partisan tactic that undermines public trust.
However, the EFCC maintained it operates a non-partisan mandate and has been careful and impartial in carrying out its duties. It stressed that the law is taking its course, regardless of whether the suspects are members of the ruling party or the opposition.
Northern activist and commentator, Mahdi Shehu in an exclusive interview with DAILYPOST described the arrest of former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, as evidence of EFCC dancing naked and accused the anti-graft agency of political bias.
“If it’s not political, why arrest him now when the likes of Godswill Akpabio, Bello Matawalle, Aliyu Wamakko, and some serving ministers under criminal trials, and over 43 percent of National Assembly members facing fraud charges are being shielded by the EFCC?”
He alleged that the agency only targets politicians from other parties while protecting those in the APC or planning to join it.
Shehu pointed to several high-profile corruption cases where the EFCC allegedly looked away.
He cited the Senate Public Accounts Committee’s revelation that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) could not account for ₦210 trillion between 2017 and 2023.
“In this case, EFCC pretended and went into siesta because NNPCL is a no-go area. The President is always the senior petroleum minister,” Shehu said.
He also mentioned the missing $7 billion (₦10.4 trillion) meant for the turnaround maintenance of Kaduna, Warri, and Port Harcourt refineries, and payments of “fraudulent millions per month” to consultants at the Central Bank of Nigeria.
“The EFCC placed cotton wool in both ears because those involved have powerful backers in the kitchen,” he alleged.
Shehu further questioned why the EFCC has not investigated Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu, who recently flaunted a multi-billion naira mansion online.
“Before Tinubu appointed him, he was surviving from hand to mouth. Now he has built what people call Government House No. 2. But EFCC will never have the liver, guts, courage, or audacity to touch him,” he said.
He warned that a time will soon come when the hunter will become the hunted and accused the EFCC of running a convenient system where, like in Animal Farm, some Nigerians are more Nigerian than the others.
Also, Adnan Mukhtar Tudunwada, a former Kano House of Assembly aspirant, in an interview with DAILYPOST described Tambuwal’s arrest by the EFCC as purely political and very unfortunate.
He accused the anti-graft agency of abandoning neutrality and fairness in its fight against corruption.
According to him, “many members of the APC also face corruption allegations but are never invited for questioning, while opposition figures are harassed and intimidated.”
Adnan believes the move is linked to Tambuwal’s recent criticism of President Bola Tinubu’s administration, adding that the EFCC’s fight against corruption is selective and lacking in transparency and integrity.
Meanwhile, Rabiu Musa, a public affairs advocate said that when it comes to breach of law – whether political or not, people should be honest and focus on the alleged crime.
“Did Tambuwal do something that made them arrest him? People should look beyond politics,” he said during an interview with DAILYPOST.
