The All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed claims that politicians who defect to the ruling party are shielded from investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday night in Yola, Adamawa State, the APC National Vice Chairman (North-East), Mustapha Salihu, described such allegations as a calculated attempt to discredit President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Salihu stressed that the Tinubu government has zero tolerance for corruption, insisting that party affiliation does not confer immunity from prosecution.
“The notion that anyone can escape prosecution simply by joining the APC is designed to blackmail this administration. This government has zero tolerance for corruption,” he said.
His comments followed accusations by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, who alleged that the APC had become a safe haven for individuals seeking to evade EFCC scrutiny.
Rejecting the claim, Salihu urged Nigerians with credible evidence against any APC member to submit formal petitions to the appropriate authorities, assuring that investigations would be carried out without bias.
He further disclosed that some APC members are already returning misappropriated public funds, reiterating that the party will not hesitate to sanction or expel any member found guilty of corruption.
“Anyone that stole public funds will be prosecuted, even if you join APC, because corruption killed the economy of this country,” he added.
Providing broader political context, Salihu explained that the APC was formed as a coalition to defeat former President Goodluck Jonathan and has since evolved, noting that individuals who joined the party for opportunistic reasons have continued to exit.
He also expressed doubts about the future of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), predicting that internal disputes would eventually lead to the party’s collapse.
On speculations that Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri may defect to the APC, Salihu said political negotiations are usually conducted discreetly. While expressing openness to welcoming the governor, he maintained that such discussions should remain private.
The APC chieftain’s remarks underscore the party’s insistence that defection offers no protection from accountability and that the anti-corruption drive of the Tinubu administration remains uncompromising.
