2027 Tension Rises as Melaye Warns Against Using EFCC to Target Atiku
Political tension ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general election is beginning to intensify as former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye warned against what he described as the possible deployment of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against former Vice President Atiku Abubakar.
Melaye, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), argued that any attempt to invite, arrest or interrogate Atiku on the strength of renewed corruption allegations could be interpreted by opposition supporters as an attempt to use state institutions against a major political challenger.
The controversy followed a petition by former House of Representatives member Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma asking the EFCC to revisit allegations involving Atiku during his tenure as Nigeria’s vice president.
Speaking at an ADC All Support Groups town hall meeting in Abuja, Melaye maintained that Atiku had been subjected to investigations by government institutions in the past without being convicted by a court.
The gathering, themed “Together We Can Build the Nigeria We Desire,” focused on grassroots mobilisation, polling-unit organisation, vote protection and greater participation of youths, women and support groups ahead of the 2027 election.
Melaye questioned why allegations dating back about two decades were being revived as political activities towards 2027 gather momentum.
He warned that opposition supporters would strongly resist any action they considered politically motivated, insisting that democratic institutions must not be perceived as instruments for intimidating political opponents.
According to Melaye, political power ultimately belongs to Nigerians rather than those temporarily occupying government positions.
The former senator also directed his warning at President Bola Tinubu’s administration, arguing that inviting Atiku before the election on what he called “frivolous petitions” could trigger significant political resistance.
At the centre of the controversy is Agbonayinma’s petition, submitted through his lawyer, Hannibal Uwaifo of Sagitarian Law Firm, asking the EFCC to reopen investigations connected with allegations dating to 2005 and 2006.
The petition reportedly gave the anti-graft commission 14 days to act and referenced an earlier EFCC investigation as well as a 2010 report of the United States Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.
Atiku has also rejected renewed calls for an investigation, maintaining that allegations against him had previously been examined by several institutions, including the EFCC, an administrative panel, the National Assembly and the courts.
The former vice president has challenged anyone possessing credible evidence of wrongdoing against him to present it before the appropriate authorities for judicial determination.
He has also accused political interests sympathetic to the current administration of attempting to resurrect old allegations to distract Nigerians from pressing economic and security challenges.
The latest exchange could further deepen the political battle between the ruling establishment and opposition forces as preparations for the 2027 presidential election accelerate.
Beyond Atiku himself, the controversy is likely to revive debate over the independence of Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies and the delicate balance between legitimate investigations and allegations of politically motivated prosecution.
As of the latest reports, the EFCC had not publicly announced whether it would act on the petition seeking the reopening of investigations involving the former vice president.
