African Democratic Congress (ADC) chieftain Dino Melaye has issued a strong warning to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), cautioning the anti-graft agency against any move to invite, arrest or interrogate the party’s presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar.
The warning follows calls by a former National Vice Chairman (South-South) of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ntufam Hilliard Eta, for the EFCC and other security agencies to investigate and prosecute Atiku over alleged corruption.
In a post on his X handle, Melaye described the petitions as frivolous and declared that any attempt to act on them would be met with firm resistance from the ADC and its supporters.
“This is our note of warning,” Melaye wrote. “If due to this frivolous petitions you invite, arrest, or interview Atiku Abubakar… we will prove to you that those in government are less than one percent of the population of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. We will prove to you that the people own government.”
The former Kogi senator stressed that the statement was made without fear or favour.
Meanwhile, Atiku Abubakar has already dismissed the demands for an EFCC probe as a politically motivated witch-hunt. In a statement issued by his media aide, Paul Ibe, the former vice president recalled that he was thoroughly investigated during the Olusegun Obasanjo administration and that no evidence was found to warrant prosecution.
Atiku noted that when an incumbent government feels politically threatened, state institutions often become unusually interested in opposition figures. He described the latest calls for his investigation as the latest episode in that pattern.