Politics

Tinubu Government Targeting Opposition, Shielding APC Members: A Deepening Political Controversy in Nigeria

Published by Akinwale Fakinlede on February 15th, 2026.

Accusations that the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is disproportionately targeting opposition figures while offering leniency to members of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) have intensified in recent weeks. Critics and opposition leaders argue that this trend undermines democratic competition and threatens the vibrancy of Nigeria’s multiparty system.

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On February 14, 2026, a senior chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Idris Kalgo, sharply criticised the Tinubu government, alleging that anti‑corruption institutions are selectively deployed against opposition members. Kalgo questioned why prominent opposition figures face aggressive investigations, arrests, and media scrutiny, while alleged misconduct by APC politicians appears to attract no comparable legal response. He argued that as long as political actors remain in the ruling party’s fold, they enjoy informal immunity from prosecution — a double standard he described as deeply damaging to Nigeria’s democratic norms.

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Selective Enforcement or Legitimate Anti‑Corruption Action?

Central to the controversy is the role of agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), which have pursued numerous corruption cases. Opposition figures contend that these anti‑graft efforts are politically motivated and timed to weaken rivals ahead of the 2027 general election. According to Kalgo and allied critics, actions against ADC members create a chilling effect that discourages political challenge to APC dominance.

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However, defenders of the government maintain that these agencies operate within the legal mandate to combat economic crime. The EFCC has repeatedly denied accusations of partisanship, asserting that its investigations target financial wrongdoing without regard to political affiliation and are guided strictly by statutory authority.

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Broader Opposition Concerns

The allegations extend beyond individual prosecutions to broader political dynamics. Prominent opposition leaders from various parties have voiced concerns that institutional power — including security forces and anti‑corruption bodies — is being used to pressure governors and legislators to defect to the APC. They warn that such pressures erode the checks and balances inherent in a healthy democracy and risk transforming Nigeria’s political landscape into de facto single‑party rule.

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Indeed, recent defections of several lawmakers and governors from opposition parties like the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and others into the APC have fuelled these perceptions. While the government and APC allies argue that these shifts are voluntary and a reflection of political alignment, sceptics see them as part of a pattern that weakens opposition voices ahead of critical elections.

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Government Perspective and Political Context

Officials aligned with the Tinubu administration often reject claims of targeting opposition figures, framing the criticisms as political rhetoric from rivals unable to gain traction through ordinary democratic competition. They argue that anti‑corruption institutions are fulfilling constitutional responsibilities and that Nigerians will ultimately judge all parties at the ballot box.

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Supporters of the ruling party also point to ongoing reforms and policy initiatives — including economic and governance measures — as evidence that the focus remains on national development rather than political vendettas. These defenders emphasise that holding any public official accountable for alleged wrongdoing should not be misconstrued as politically selective enforcement.

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What This Means for Nigeria’s Democracy

At the heart of this debate is the question of whether democratic competition in Nigeria can remain robust in the face of these political tensions. Opposition voices argue that perceived biases in law enforcement and political pressure on dissenting leaders weaken public trust in institutions and may dissuade citizens from fully engaging in the democratic process.

Meanwhile, the government insists it operates within constitutional limits and that allegations of bias are exaggerated political tactics. The clash of narratives reflects a broader struggle over political legitimacy, electoral integrity, and Nigeria’s democratic future — issues that are likely to shape public discourse as the 20

27 elections approach.