By Peter Salami
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has called on the federal government to halt what he described as the persecution of political opponents under the guise of criminal prosecution, warning that such actions could erode the rule of law and threaten Nigeria’s democratic stability.
Obi made the appeal in a post on his verified X handle on Monday, stressing that the integrity of the rule of law in Nigeria is non-negotiable and that any attempt to undermine it would negatively affect economic development and national cohesion.
The former Anambra State governor expressed concern over the recent arrests and continued detention of prominent 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 him, the timing of the arrests, coming shortly after the politicians reportedly pledged to work towards unseating the current administration in the 2027 general elections, raises serious questions about the motivations 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,” Obi said.
He further argued that the denial of bail or the imposition of stringent bail conditions in such cases creates the impression that criminal prosecution is being used as a political weapon.
Obi described the situation involving El-Rufai as particularly troubling, noting that the former governor had reportedly been moved between different security and anti-graft agencies, including the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), and the Department of State Services (DSS).
According to him, such repeated transfers could suggest a desperate attempt to establish charges rather than a credible and transparent investigation.
“I firmly believe that Nigeria requires a civil and criminal justice system that instills confidence in every citizen. No one should fear persecution because of their political beliefs or actions that those in power may disapprove of,” he stated.
Obi reiterated his support for the fight against corruption but warned that anti-corruption efforts must be conducted with transparency and fairness, beginning with those currently in power rather than selectively targeting political opponents.
“A credible anti-corruption campaign cannot afford to be selective,” he added.
Meanwhile, former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has alleged that President Bola Tinubu and leaders of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) are already in panic mode ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Amaechi, an ADC presidential hopeful, made the claim while addressing supporters in Rivers State, where he argued that the President and key figures in the APC were not as popular as they claimed.
He accused the ruling party of attempting to intimidate voters in the run-up to the next general election, insisting that such tactics reflected growing anxiety within the government.
“I thought the President said they were popular. If they are truly popular, let us meet on the field and allow the people to decide who they want,” Amaechi said.
According to him, the alleged intimidation tactics were aimed at discouraging voter participation, as low turnout would favour the ruling party.
“The reason they are doing what they are doing is that they want apathy. They don’t want you to come out and vote because if people come out, they will certainly not vote for the APC,” he said.
The former Rivers State governor said the ADC and its allies would counter such moves through aggressive grassroots mobilisation aimed at encouraging citizens to participate actively in the electoral process.
Amaechi also questioned what he described as the limited achievements of the current administration, urging the government to present tangible projects to Nigerians.
Referring to the much-publicised Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project, he asked the government to demonstrate visible progress.
“The noise was about the Lagos-Calabar coastal road. Where is the Lagos-Calabar coastal road?” he queried.
Amaechi further defended his record as Minister of Transportation under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, saying the projects executed during that period benefited Nigerians across different regions and political divides.
He challenged the current administration to present comparable achievements in both the northern and southern parts of the country.