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It’s Witchhunt, ADC Alleges As EFCC Detains, Interrogates Tambuwal

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1 year ago

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By Eric Elezuo

The coalition umbrella party, African Democratic Congress (ADC) has cried foul over the arrest and detention of its key members, including the former Govvernor of Sokoto State, Senator Aminu Tambuwal, who is presently undergoing interrogation, describing it as political witchhunt of opposition leaders.

Tambuwal was arrested and detained on Monday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the allegation of ‘suspicious’ withdrawal of N189 billion from the Sokoto State Government account during his tenure as governor.

Kicking against the move, the party, in a statement by the Publicity Secretary Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, advised EFCC to focus on corruption instead of “harassing” opposition figures. It accused the EFCC of selective investigation, and behaving like a hit squad of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

It warned that the dangerous trend could erode public trust in the institution and undermine the anti-corruption fight.

It maintained that EFCC’s recent pattern of re-opening closed cases, digging up files from years past, and targeting members of opposition parties suggests that it is not an anti-graft body, but a political enforcer.

The statement reads: “In recent days, several senior members of the opposition coalition have received EFCC summons that are clearly politically motivated.

“These are not fresh cases arising from new evidence but new files opened in reaction to emergent political affiliations to intimidate key opposition figures.

“The EFCC was created to be a fearless defender of the Nigerian people’s trust, applying the law evenly to all, friend or foe, ruling party or opposition.

“Today, that vision appears to have been compromised.

“The Commission now operates like a department of the APC, deployed to fight government critics and opposition figures, thereby achieving what the government cannot achieve through public debate.

“We have observed how investigations into ruling party allies quietly fade away while opposition figures are dragged before the court of public opinion with sometimes decade-old allegations that have been hastily revived and dressed up as fresh evidence.

“This is selective prosecution, and selective prosecution is the death of justice.

“It does appear that in today’s Nigeria, one’s guilt or innocence depends on one’s party membership, not evidence.

“For example, since a certain former governor defected to the APC with his state’s entire political machinery, the EFCC’s investigations into his administration have vanished from public view.

“Not a question has been asked. Not a document leaked. Not a single update.

“Yet the same EFCC still somehow finds means to reopen old cases against opposition leaders and pursue the stale allegations against them.”

“It does not augur well for the EFCC if people think that all you need to point the accusing hands of the Commission in your direction is to stand opposed to the ruling party, and all that it takes for protection is to align with the government.

“Unfortunately, this is the widely established perception in Nigeria today, which the commission by its recent actions, including the ongoing surreptitious harassment of opposition leaders, has given credence to.

“The ADC hereby calls on all Nigerians, civil society organisations, and the independent media to resist this dangerous slide into dictatorship and misuse of public institutions to achieve partisan objectives.

“The EFCC does not belong to the APC. It belongs to the Nigerian people.

“It is funded by taxpayers, not the ruling party.”

Tambuwal was arrested and detained on Monday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on the allegation of ‘suspicious’ withdrawal of N189 billion from the Sokoto State Government account during his tenure as governor.

According to the anti-graft agency, the withdrawal was carried out incrementally for six years out of his eight-year tenure.

The senator honoured the invitation of the anti-graft agency at about 11:30am in Abuja on Monday, but was detained.

The EFCC said that the withdrawals were from three accounts: the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC), the Government House Account and the Secretary to the State Government Account in flagrant violation of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.

“We have isolated all the allegations for Tambuwal. It is left to him to respond.”

The source said the accounts received a total cumulative inflow of N567,160,024,619.93, out of which N189,155,043,825.09 was illegally diverted.

The EFCC fact sheet states:  “The EFCC carried out financial profiling of the Sokoto State Government.

“This profiling was aimed at identifying the state government’s accounts that may have been exposed to diversion, misappropriation of public funds and money laundering by government officials.

“Analysis of the state government’s activities from 1st of January, 2015 to August 31st, 2021 uncovered unusual transactions in the following accounts: Accountant General Sokoto FAAC, Secretary to the State Government, Permanent Secretary, Government House.

“Specifically, the above accounts received a total cumulative inflow of N567,160,024,619.93, out of which N189,155,043,825.09 was withdrawn in favour of government officials, individuals (suspected to be cashiers), companies and other groups/agencies.

“In light of the findings, it is assessed with a high degree of confidence that the named individuals (suspected to be cashiers) and identified government officials are involved in the diversion of public funds, misappropriation of state government funds and money laundering activities.

“The following are suggested: Investigation should commence on other state government accounts to identify other accounts that are prone to unwholesome acts of state officials.

“Investigate the named individuals and identified government officials to know the extent of their involvement.

“Investigate FAAC account payouts to private companies; Nagarta Microfinance Bank and Bilya Micro System,” the document said.

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Tanzania’s Vice President Emmanuel Nchimbi Resigns

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6 hours ago

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August 25, 2026

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Tanzania’s Vice President, Dr Emmanuel John Nchimbi, has announced his decision to resign from office and retire entirely from public service and active politics, effective September 4, 2026.
In an official public notice dated August 25, 2026, issued from the Office of the Vice President in Dodoma, Dr Nchimbi revealed that he had formally tendered his resignation letter to President Samia Suluhu Hassan.
Dr Nchimbi cited constitutional provisions under Article 50(2)(c) read together with Article 149(2) of the Constitution of the United Republic of Tanzania as the basis for stepping down to allow President Hassan to appoint a new Vice President.
Reflecting on his tenure, Dr Nchimbi referenced a commitment he made to the Head of State a year earlier, stating that he pledged to serve faithfully to the nation and step aside whenever a change was desired.
“On August 27, 2025, I promised Her Excellency President Dr Samia Suluhu Hassan that I would assist her and our country to the best of my ability and with utter faithfulness,” Dr Nchimbi stated.
“I also assured her that whenever she sees the need for another Vice President, I will vacate the position. I am fully satisfied, without any doubt, that Her Excellency the President desires change, and thus I have decided to fulfil my promise.”
Dr Nchimbi expressed gratitude to President Hassan and the ruling party, Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM), for their confidence in his leadership.
He also thanked Tanzanians for their support during his time in public office, reassuring the nation that he would remain a patriotic citizen.
Nchimbi’s journey as a seasoned Tanzanian statesman

Born on December 24, 1971, in the Mbeya Region, Dr Emmanuel John Nchimbi grew up in a family rooted in public service. His father, Mzee John Nchimbi, hailing from Songea District, served as an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and Regional Police Commander for Mtwara.

Beyond his law enforcement career, the elder Nchimbi was actively involved in politics, serving two terms as a National Executive Committee (NEC) member for Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) through the armed forces wing and later as a CCM regional secretary.

Dr Nchimbi began his primary education at Oysterbay Primary School in Dar es Salaam from 1980 to 1986. He pursued his O-Level studies at Uru Secondary School (Form I to III) from 1987 to 1989 before transferring to Sangu Secondary School, where he completed Form IV in 1990.

He then moved to Forest Hill Secondary School in Mbeya for his A-Level education between 1991 and 1993.

Advancing to higher education, Dr Nchimbi earned an Advanced Diploma in Administration from the Institute of Development Management (IDM) Mzumbe in Morogoro between 1994 and 1997.

Upon graduating, his political trajectory accelerated rapidly: he was elected as a member of CCM’s National Executive Committee (NEC), and by 1998, he was elected Chairman of the CCM Youth Wing (Umoja wa Vijana wa Chama cha Mapinduzi – UVCCM).

Alongside his rising political responsibilities, Dr Nchimbi built a professional background in public service and academia. He worked at the National Environment Management Council (NEMC) from 1998 to 2003.

During this period, he pursued further studies, obtaining a Master of Business Administration (MBA) specialising in Banking and Finance from Mzumbe University between 2001 and 2003. He was later appointed District Commissioner for Bunda (2003–2005) and went on to complete a Doctorate (PhD) at Mzumbe University between 2008 and 2011.

Dr Nchimbi launched his parliamentary ambitions in his home region of Songea Town.
In the 2005 General Election, backed by a strong CCM grassroots network, he secured the Songea Town parliamentary seat with 67.6 per cent of the vote against his main rival, Edson Mbogoro of CHADEMA, who garnered 30.5 percent.
Following his election to Parliament, President Jakaya Kikwete appointed him Deputy Minister for Information, Culture, and Sports in January 2006.

He served in that capacity until October 2006, when he was reshuffled to serve as Deputy Minister for Labour, Employment, and Youth Development until February 2008. He subsequently served as Deputy Minister for Defence and National Service until November 2010.

Source: The Star

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Tinubu Orders Arrest, Suspension of Three Perm Secs As ICPC Uncovers Another Fake Govt Agency

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4 days ago

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August 21, 2026

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President Bola Tinubu on Friday ordered the immediate arrest and suspension of three federal Permanent Secretaries over their alleged involvement in the operation of another fake agency uncovered by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

ICPC Chairman, Dr Musa Adamu Aliyu, who disclosed this to newsmen after briefing President Tinubu on the latest findings from the commission’s ongoing investigation into fictitious agencies and weaknesses in public sector processes named the affected Permanent Secretaries to include M S Danjuma, Engr Nadungu Gagare, and Richard Pheelangwah.

The Commision’s latest discovery is coming barely few weeks after exposing the fictitious Presidential Foreign Intervention Promotion Council (PFIPC).

According to Aliyu, the newly uncovered entity, operating as National Brands Development and Made-in-Nigeria Special Project Office, had allegedly secured office accommodation within the premises of the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (OSGF) without authorisation from the President.

The discovery, he said, was made during the broader investigation into the PFIPC, which President Tinubu had directed the ICPC to undertake.

The fake agency, according to ICPC boss, was promoted by Prince George Buchi Nwabueze, who allegedly operated under several variations of his name, including George Nathan Nwabueze, Honourable George Buchi Nwabueze, Prince George Buchi Nwabueze and George Buchi Nwabueze.

Aliyu disclosed that the commission was engaging relevant officials in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation to establish how the purported agency came to operate from government premises and to obtain other vital information required for the investigation.
“I have briefed Mr President comprehensively on these new developments. ICPC will continue with its investigation,” he said.

Following the fresh findings, Aliyu said President Tinubu had directed the immediate arrest of Prince George Buchi Nwabueze, as well as the immediate suspension of the three named permanent secretaries.

The commission is expected to establish the roles played by the suspended officials and other individuals in the emergence and operation of the purported agency.

Aliyu said the latest discovery underscored the need for tighter controls and greater scrutiny of government institutions and internal administrative processes.

He commended President Tinubu for ordering a wider policy audit of federal agencies and government processes, describing the initiative as a proactive measure to strengthen the governance system.

His said: “President Bola Tinubu must be commended for the proactive step of directing the policy audit of MDAs and internal government processes towards strengthening government governance system.”

The latest development has widened the scope of the ICPC’s investigation into the proliferation of fictitious government entities and alleged exploitation of official structures by individuals seeking to create the impression of government authority.
The commission’s investigation into the PFIPC was initiated after the purported agency came under scrutiny, with the President subsequently directing the ICPC to unravel those behind its operations and determine whether public officials facilitated its activities.

With the discovery of another purported agency operating from government premises, the ICPC probe is now expected to examine broader institutional weaknesses that may have enabled unauthorised entities to gain access to federal government facilities and present themselves as legitimate government bodies.

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2027: Atiku Promises to Restore Fuel Subsidy If Elected President

Published

5 days ago

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August 20, 2026

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The African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has promised to restore the petrol subsidy if he wins the 2027 presidential election.

Atiku made the pledge during an interview on Wednesday while questioning the use of funds he said were saved following the removal of the subsidy.

He said the policy could have been beneficial to Nigerians if the savings had been properly accounted for and invested in areas such as poverty reduction and education.

“I did not oppose the removal of the oil subsidy, but where is the money? Where did it go? It was intended to reduce poverty and help children attend school. Where is the money now? It seems they are just stealing it,” Atiku said in Hausa.

“If elected, I will bring back the oil subsidy, and whoever stole the money must refund it.”

The former vice president said he would also consider the removal of the subsidy if the funds generated from the policy were transparently used to address the country’s development challenges.

“The government successfully removed the subsidy, but we do not know where the money went. If they had used the money for development, to solve security problems, for education, and to create opportunities for the youth, it would be different. If elected, I can remove the subsidy and use the money to do all these properly.”

President Bola Tinubu announced the removal of the petrol subsidy during his inaugural address on May 29, 2023, before assuming office.

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