The arrest of former state lead representative and current senator Aminu Tambuwal by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has drawn criticism from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Sokoto State, which has described the action as a political attempt to undermine the opposition.
The PDP asserted in a statement released early Tuesday by Hassan Sanyinnawal, the party’s publicity secretary, that the detention was a component of a larger scheme by the APC-led Federal Government to scare political rivals and quell mounting opposition to President Bola Tinubu’s government.
The party said that the EFCC’s investigation was nothing but a fishing expedition based on an old case that had failed to provide any evidence in the past. Political actors in Sokoto and Abuja are trying to tarnish Tambuwal’s image and force him to back down from his criticism of bad governance.
In addition to accusing the EFCC of selective prosecution by disregarding legitimate corruption cases involving members of the ruling party, the statement claimed that Tambuwal’s eight-year administration was distinguished by openness and fiscal restraint.
The PDP asked its followers to maintain composure while resolutely demanding democracy and decent governance, and it called on anti-graft authorities to rise above political interference.
“Our trust in Tambuwal’s integrity cannot be shaken by politically motivated probes,” the party continued.
Due to allegations of financial impropriety during his tenure as state lead representative, Tambuwal, who was also the Speaker of the House of Representatives, was placed under EFCC custody on Monday.
