Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has urged the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) to stop what he described as the persecution of political opponents under the guise of criminal prosecution.
Obi made the statement in a message shared on his verified account on X (Twitter), stressing that respect for the rule of law remains critical to Nigeria’s stability and economic progress.
The former Anambra State governor expressed concern over the arrest and continued detention of some leaders of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), including former Attorney General of the Federation Abubakar Malami and former Kaduna State governor Nasir El-Rufai.
According to Obi, the timing of the arrests—coming shortly after the politicians declared their intention to work toward unseating the current administration in the 2027 elections—raises serious concerns about the motives behind the actions.
He argued that law enforcement procedures must be guided by credible evidence and transparent legal processes, warning that prosecutorial powers should not be used as political tools.
Obi also raised concerns about El-Rufai’s reported transfers between agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to him, the situation creates the impression that authorities are searching for possible charges rather than conducting a focused investigation.
The former presidential candidate emphasized that Nigeria needs a justice system that guarantees fairness and ensures that citizens are not victimized because of their political views.
He maintained that while the fight against corruption is necessary, it must be carried out transparently and without selectivity, beginning with those currently in power.
