Opposition Must Cry Wolf, Not Evade Justice – Tinubu’s Aide Fires Back

According to Ireporter Online, a Senior Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Publicity, Temitope Ajayi, has stated that raising alarm and criticism is a fundamental role of opposition parties within a democratic system.

Ajayi made the remarks while responding to a joint statement issued by a coalition led by the African Democratic Congress, which claimed that Nigeria’s democracy was under threat following the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s investigation of former governors, including Nasir El-Rufai and Aminu Tambuwal, over alleged corruption.

Reacting via a post on social media on Monday, the presidential aide dismissed the concerns, stressing that opposition status does not grant protection from law enforcement agencies. He maintained that while opposition parties are free to voice objections and raise concerns in a democracy, such actions do not translate into immunity from investigation or prosecution.

Ajayi further argued that political figures who have publicly positioned themselves as agents of national reform should not rally behind individuals facing corruption allegations. He emphasized that those under investigation by the anti-graft agency should be prepared to publicly account for their conduct while in office.

His comments followed allegations by former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, who claimed that the EFCC revoked his bail after he attended a political rally in Kebbi State. The commission, however, countered the claim, insisting that Malami failed to meet all the conditions attached to his provisional bail and described his allegations as unfounded.