The All Progressives Congress, APC, has pushed back against claims that it is becoming a safe haven for politicians fleeing corruption investigations.
The party declared that being a member offers no protection from prosecution.
National Vice Chairman, North-East, Mustapha Salihu, said any party member found culpable of corruption would be investigated and prosecuted, insisting that President Bola Tinubu’s administration has zero tolerance for graft.
Speaking to journalists in Yola Saturday night, Salihu described claims that defectors to the APC were escaping the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, as a calculated attempt to discredit the government.
“This narrative is designed to blackmail President Tinubu.
“Anyone who stole public funds will be prosecuted, even if they join APC. A lot of our chieftains have already entered plea bargains and returned stolen funds,” he said.
Salihu was responding to comments by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, who had accused the APC of becoming “a haven for EFCC fugitives” as the opposition Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, weakens.
Dismissing the allegation, Salihu challenged critics to present evidence against any APC member suspected of corruption, urging them to file formal petitions.
“If anyone has credible information against any APC chieftain, let them submit it. The party will not shield anyone.
“Corruption destroyed this country and this administration will not tolerate it,” he stated.
The APC chieftain also accused opposition figures of weaponising anti-corruption narratives ahead of the 2027 elections, insisting that Nigerians would see through what he described as political propaganda.
He maintained that defections to the ruling party were driven by conviction and patriotism rather than fear of prosecution, stressing that the EFCC remains free to carry out its mandate regardless of party affiliations
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