A prominent figure in the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has cautioned opposition politicians against politicising the ongoing financial investigations conducted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
In an interview with journalists in Osogbo on Sunday, the former legislator stated that the EFCC has a constitutional duty to investigate financial crimes committed by any Nigerian, regardless of their political ties.
He described attempts by opposition parties to tie President Bola Tinubu to the anti-graft agency’s probes as misleading.
Oyintiloye stressed that both ruling party members and opposition figures are subject to financial scrutiny whenever a petition is filed against them.
He urged those under investigation to concentrate on proving their innocence rather than attempting to implicate the presidency.
The APC chieftain reiterated his position, stating, “The EFCC has a mandate to investigate financial infractions against anyone, irrespective of political affiliations.”
He added that it is “totally wrong” to link the president to these investigations.
“Whether you are a member of the ruling party or opposition, you are not immune to financial investigation,” Oyintiloye insisted.
“I want to caution members of the opposition parties to stop politicizing what the EFCC is doing and prove their innocence, if any.”
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Oyintiloye also affirmed that President Tinubu is a man of honor and integrity who will not compromise his ideals for politics.
“So, it is no longer business as usual,” he said, warning that more corrupt politicians using opposition parties to blackmail the president would still be arrested.
His comments follow recent accusations by the national publicity secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Bolaji Abdullahi, who claimed the EFCC was engaging in a “choreographed media trial” against opposition figures.
The Port City News reported that Abdullahi cited the overnight detention of former Sokoto governor Aminu Tambuwal and the commission’s request for information on the seven-month tenure of former Imo governor Emeka Ihedioha as evidence.
The EFCC has since countered these claims in a statement, maintaining that its mandate is non-partisan and that it has investigated both serving and former governors and ministers from the ruling and opposition parties.
