I’m Not Saying Tambuwal Has Committed Any Offense But It’s Wrong To Say It’s A Witch Hunt’-Wike

 FCT Minister Nyesom Wike has dismissed allegations that former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal is being witch-hunted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) due to his participation in the ADC coalition.

Tambuwal had claimed that the ruling party is attempting to intimidate him through EFCC summons over fraud allegations, arguing that he faces persecution for supporting the coalition ADC party.

Speaking in an interview with Channels TV, Wike challenged the selective outrage over EFCC investigations targeting opposition figures. “If EFCC calls you and says, ‘Look, we have this against you,’ after—there are so many Nigerians who have been invited by EFCC one way or the other. Why is it that nobody’s talking about them being witch-hunted or whatever? Is it only politicians that are being wanted or should be wanted?” Wike questioned.

The FCT Minister criticized the double standard applied to EFCC investigations based on political affiliation. “Why is it that if EFCC does this today because you appear to be in opposition, you are being witch-hunted? I’m not saying that he (Tambuwal) has committed any offense. I didn’t say so. But it would also be wrong simply because EFCC invited him, that’s a witch hunt,” he stated.

Wike argued that government officials are not the only targets of anti-corruption investigations. “But if EFCC invites somebody in government, it’s not a witch hunt. Only those that are in government should be invited for questioning of one thing or the other, but somebody who had left government whom the financial crime commission believes may have committed an offense and therefore we want to hear from you—that means that that person is being witch-hunted?” he asked.

The minister dismissed what he characterized as political blackmail tactics used to deflect accountability. “All this kind of blackmail cannot, does not work and it shouldn’t work. All I would have said is, ‘Look, Mr. Tambuwal, this is what EFCC said. Yes, I didn’t do it, and the law will take its course.’ I don’t believe in this blackmail,” Wike declared.