Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar dismisses calls for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate corruption allegations against him. In a statement through his media aide, Paul Ibe, Atiku says the request is a “mere political witch-hunt,” arguing that pressure on state institutions increases when an incumbent administration feels threatened politically.
The calls follow comments by Ntufam Hilliard Eta, a former National Vice Chairman (South-South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who urged EFCC and other law enforcement agencies to probe and prosecute Atiku. Atiku also points to a previous investigation during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration, which he says ended without evidence leading to prosecution. He further argues that nearly two decades later, administrations controlling Nigeria’s state apparatus have not found it necessary to prosecute him for corruption.
Across the two outlets, the central elements are Atiku’s denial and framing of the EFCC request as politically motivated, alongside the origin of the public call for investigation by an APC figure.
