African Democratic Congress chieftain Peter Obi has expressed concern about the continued detention of former Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai and former Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami, accusing the Tinubu administration of using criminal prosecution as a political weapon against opposition figures.
Obi made the claim in a statement posted on X on Monday, demanding the government immediately cease what he described as political opponents’ persecution camouflaged as legitimate legal action.
“The current administration must put an end to the blatant persecution of political opponents disguised as criminal prosecution.
“The integrity of the rule of law in Nigeria is non-negotiable; its degradation undermines our economic development and threatens national stability,” he stated.
The former Anambra governor questioned the timing of El-Rufai’s and Malami’s arrests, citing their commitment to voting out the current administration in 2027.
He also questioned the conditions under which the two leaders had been detained, claiming that the rejection of bail or the installation of unduly strict bail conditions constituted additional evidence of political persecution.
“The undue denial of bail or unjustly stringent conditions imposed on bail leave little doubt that the government is wielding criminal prosecution as a weapon against its political opponents,” he said.
Obi reserved his harshest criticism for the handling of El-Rufai’s case, describing the former governor’s frequent transfers between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, and the Department of State Services as a desperate and legally dubious exercise.
“The situation surrounding Malam El-Rufai is particularly concerning; his repeated transfers between the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS suggest a desperate search for any charge that might stick, straying dangerously close to a fishing expedition rather than a credible investigation,” he said.
While reaffirming his personal commitment to the fight against corruption, Obi insisted that any credible anti-corruption campaign must be conducted with integrity, transparency, and consistency—beginning with those currently in power rather than targeting political opponents.
“I wholeheartedly support the fight against corruption and wrongdoing, but it must be conducted with integrity and transparency, starting with those currently in power rather than targeting opponents. A credible anti-corruption and anti-wrongdoing campaign cannot afford to be selective,” he stated.
Obi concluded by urging the government to follow the rule of law and ensure that no Nigerian is punished for their political ideas or conduct as the country enters a critical election time.
