PANIC is spreading through the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and its allied opposition coalition after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) launched a fresh wave of investigations targeting big political figures in Nigeria.
News Point Nigeria reports that at the centre of the storm is former Sokoto State governor, Aminu Waziri Tambuwal, who was grilled by EFCC operatives in Abuja on Monday over allegations of fraudulent cash withdrawals amounting to ₦189 billion during his tenure.
Tambuwal, who served as Sokoto governor between 2015 and 2023, reportedly arrived at the EFCC headquarters around 11:30am and was immediately ushered in for questioning by a crack team of investigators.
Sources within the anti-graft agency told News Point Nigeria that the withdrawals were in blatant violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention & Prohibition) Act, 2022.
“The former governor is being held over alleged fraudulent withdrawals to the tune of ₦189 billion,” a senior EFCC official told our correspondent under the condition of anonymity.
“These transactions were in clear breach of existing money laundering laws.”
The EFCC’s official spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, refused to confirm the details, saying only that the commission “operates strictly within its mandate” and that those accused of crimes should be ready to face trial.
The ADC, however, insists that the EFCC’s actions are part of a politically motivated clampdown designed to weaken its coalition ahead of the 2027 general elections, in which it plans to challenge President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Speaking to this newspaper, ADC’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, confirmed that three former governors, all major players in the opposition coalition have recently been summoned by the EFCC, some of whom are yet to report,.
“This is an attempt to force them to leave the coalition or intimidate them into political silence,” Abdullahi said. “We are determined to rescue Nigeria, and this will not stop us.”
In an earlier statement, Abdullahi accused the EFCC of “compromising its integrity” by reviving old, dormant cases against opposition leaders while ignoring corruption allegations involving members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Selective prosecution is the death of justice,” the ADC said in its statement. “The EFCC now appears to be functioning like a department of the APC, targeting critics while protecting allies.”
In a strongly worded rebuttal, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale dismissed the ADC’s allegations as “untenable and ridiculous”, challenging the party to provide concrete evidence to support its claims.
“The EFCC is non-partisan. Our records in court speak for themselves,” Oyewale said. “We do not operate as an appendage of any political party.”
The anti-graft agency’s latest moves come at a time of deepening fractures within the opposition coalition.
In recent weeks, prominent politicians have distanced themselves from the ADC alliance, while others have openly reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC.
Former Lagos governor, Akinwunmi Ambode, denied any involvement with the ADC, calling reports linking him to a governorship ambition under the party “false and distracting.”
Ex-Ekiti governor, Kayode Fayemi, rejected claims he co-founded the coalition with Rotimi Amaechi, insisting he remains committed to the APC.
Former SGF, Boss Mustapha, dismissed reports of defection to the ADC as “fake news.”
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has postponed his planned formal defection to the ADC, reportedly due to political uncertainty within the coalition and speculation over a possible Goodluck Jonathan comeback in 2027.
The ADC itself has been wrestling with internal leadership disputes. Following the resignation of National Chairman Ralph Okey Nwosu, Deputy National Chairman Nafiu Bala has assumed the role of acting chairman though not without controversy.
Bala, the party’s 2023 governorship candidate in Gombe State, accused former leaders of “handing over the party to powerful outsiders” and pledged to restore internal democracy and strengthen party structures.
“We will build a strong, united, and effective political party for a better Nigeria,” Bala said during his endorsement ceremony in Abuja.
The EFCC’s intensified scrutiny of opposition leaders especially at a time when the ADC-led coalition is trying to consolidate power has fueled speculation of a politically charged crackdown ahead of the 2027 elections.
While the EFCC insists it is merely doing its job, opposition voices argue the agency’s pattern of selective enforcement undermines public trust and threatens Nigeria’s democratic process.
For now, Tambuwal remains under investigation, the coalition is on edge, and the political temperature in Nigeria continues to rise.