The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has detained former Sokoto State Governor and current Senator Aminu Tambuwal over allegations of fraudulent cash withdrawals totaling ₦189 billion during his eight-year tenure from 2015 to 2023. Tambuwal, a key figure in the African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led opposition coalition, arrived at the EFCC headquarters in Abuja on Monday morning and was taken in for questioning. According to investigators, the alleged withdrawals breached provisions of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. EFCC officials allege that the illicit transactions were carried out from multiple government accounts, including those of the Government House, the Secretary to the State Government, and the Federation Account Allocation Committee. Records seen by the commission reportedly show that the accounts received inflows of about ₦567.16 billion, from which ₦189.16 billion was allegedly diverted.
Tambuwal’s detention has sparked strong reactions from the ADC, which accused the EFCC of engaging in politically motivated actions aimed at weakening the opposition ahead of the 2027 general elections. ADC National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, claimed that the agency was reopening old cases without new evidence, using them as a tool to intimidate prominent coalition members into abandoning their political efforts. He alleged that while opposition figures are being targeted, corruption allegations involving members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are often ignored or quietly dropped. Abdullahi warned that such selective prosecution erodes public trust and undermines the fight against corruption.
The EFCC has rejected the accusations, with its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, describing the ADC’s claims as “untenable and ridiculous.” Oyewale insisted that the commission operates within its legal mandate, is non-partisan, and prosecutes anyone found culpable, regardless of political affiliation. He challenged the party to produce evidence to back its allegations of bias.
Sources within the coalition confirmed that Tambuwal is not the only senior opposition figure under scrutiny. Former Imo State Governor, Emeka Ihedioha, and former Senate President, David Mark, have also reportedly been invited for questioning by the EFCC. These developments have heightened tension within the coalition, with concerns that the investigations could fracture its ranks.
The controversy comes at a time when the opposition coalition is already grappling with internal disagreements. Some members of the Obidient Movement, loyal to Labour Party’s Peter Obi, have accused the ADC leadership of sidelining them in key decision-making processes. This, coupled with the EFCC’s recent actions, has raised questions about the coalition’s stability and its ability to mount a united challenge in 2027.
As the investigation into Tambuwal and other coalition leaders continues, political observers say the case is likely to intensify the debate over whether Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies are being used as impartial enforcers of the law or as instruments of political pressure.
