Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has cautioned Nigerians against hastily labelling the ongoing Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) probe of former Sokoto State Governor, Aminu Tambuwal, as politically motivated.
Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Wike stressed that investigations by the EFCC are a routine part of governance and do not always signal political targeting.
“People should stop claiming that Tambuwal is being witch-hunted because he belongs to the opposition,” Wike said. “Many Nigerians have been invited or investigated by the EFCC, and it does not always mean politics is involved.”
Wike referred to his own past to support his position, recounting how he himself was arrested by the EFCC in 2008, just one year after becoming Chief of Staff in Rivers State. He was charged in court, but the case was later dropped due to lack of evidence.
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“I’m not speaking on behalf of the EFCC, but Nigerians should stop this,” he noted. “I was arrested by EFCC in 2008 when I became Chief of Staff in 2007. I was taken to court, and we fought it until they had to withdraw the case.”
The FCT Minister added that although some speculated his arrest at the time was politically driven, he chose not to publicly blame anyone, opting instead to let the legal process take its course.
Turning to Tambuwal’s situation, Wike pointed out that the former governor had only been invited for questioning — something that has happened to many public officials in the past.
“Even in Tambuwal’s case, he was invited by the EFCC, just like many others have been in the past. This does not mean it is political,” he reiterated.
Wike’s remarks come amid growing political commentary over Tambuwal’s probe, with several opposition figures claiming the investigation is part of a broader campaign of intimidation. However, the EFCC has not yet released a detailed statement on the nature of the inquiry involving the former governor.
