Former Anambra State governor and presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on the Federal Government to end what he described as the persecution of political opponents under the guise of criminal prosecution.
In a statement on Monday, Obi warned that the integrity of the rule of law in Nigeria must not be compromised, stressing that its erosion could undermine economic development and threaten national stability.
He expressed concern over the recent arrests and continued detention of key 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 their arrests, coming after their political commitment to challenge the current administration in the 2027 elections, raises serious concerns about the motives behind the actions.
“The methods used in their apprehension contradict the principles of the rule of law. Prosecutorial decisions must be grounded in concrete evidence and probable cause, transparently presented without ulterior motives,” he said.
Obi also criticised the repeated transfers of El-Rufai between the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Department of State Services (DSS), describing the process as troubling.
He warned that such actions could be interpreted as a “fishing expedition” in search of charges rather than a credible investigation.
While reaffirming his support for the fight against corruption, Obi stressed that anti-corruption efforts must be transparent and applied equally, including to those currently in power.
“A credible anti-corruption campaign cannot afford to be selective,” he said, adding that no citizen should fear persecution because of their political beliefs.
Obi concluded by urging the government to uphold justice and fairness as Nigeria moves toward another election cycle.
