End persecution of political opponents, Peter Obi tells FG

Obi

The 2023 presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), 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 rule of law in Nigeria must remain sacrosanct, stressing that weakening legal institutions would undermine economic progress and threaten the country’s stability.

He expressed concern over the recent arrests and continued detention of two leaders of the African Democracy Congress (ADC) —former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, and former Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai.

According to him, the timing of their arrests, which followed their political commitment to ensure the current administration is voted out in 2027, raises serious concerns.

Obi said the circumstances surrounding their arrests appear inconsistent with the principles of the rule of law.

He noted that prosecutorial decisions should be based strictly on credible evidence and probable cause, presented transparently and without political motives.

He added that the refusal to grant bail or the imposition of excessive bail conditions suggests that criminal prosecution may be used as a tool against political opponents.

He also highlighted the case of El-Rufai, describing the situation as particularly troubling. Obi said the former governor’s repeated movement between the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS indicates what appears to be an attempt to find any charge that could be sustained, warning that such actions risk turning investigations into a fishing expedition rather than a legitimate legal process.

Obi stressed that Nigeria needs a justice system that gives citizens confidence that they will not face persecution for their political views or for actions that those in power may disagree with. He said criminal trials must strictly follow established legal standards.

With the country approaching another election cycle, he urged the government to avoid undermining political opponents under the pretext of fighting corruption and wrongdoing.

Obi said he strongly supports the fight against corruption and misconduct but insisted that such efforts must be carried out with transparency and integrity.

According to him, any credible anti-corruption campaign must begin with those currently in power and should never be selective.

He wrote, “The current administration must put an end to the blatant persecution of political opponents disguised as criminal prosecution. The integrity of the rule of law in Nigeria is non-negotiable; its degradation undermines our economic development and threatens national stability.

“The recent arrests and continued detention of key leaders from the African Democracy Congress (ADC), namely Mr. Abubakar Malami, former Attorney General of the Federation, and Malam Nasir El-Rufai, former Governor of Kaduna State is worrisome. The timing of their arrests—coinciding with their commitment to ensure the current administration is voted out in 2027—raises serious questions. The methods used in their apprehension contradict the principles of rule of law. Prosecutorial decisions must be grounded in concrete evidence and probable cause, transparently presented without ulterior motives. The undue denial of bail or unjustly stringent conditions imposed on bail leave little doubt that the government is wielding criminal prosecution as a weapon against its political opponents.

“The situation surrounding Malam El-Rufai is particularly concerning; his repeated transfers between the EFCC, ICPC, and DSS suggest a desperate search for any charge that might stick, straying dangerously close to a fishing expedition rather than a credible investigation.

“I firmly believe that Nigeria requires a civil and criminal justice system that instills confidence in every citizen—that no one should fear persecution for their political beliefs or actions disapproved by those in power. The criminal trial process must adhere strictly to legal standards. As we approach a critical election period, the government must cease its efforts to undermine political opponents under the pretense of battling corruption, and wrong doing.

“I wholeheartedly support the fight against corruption, and wrong doing, but it must be conducted with integrity and transparency, starting with those currently in power rather than targeting opponents.

“A credible anti-corruption and anti wrong doing campaign cannot afford to be selective.” Tribune