Former Senator representing Taraba South, Senator Emmanuel Bwacha, has alleged that his recent invitation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is politically motivated, describing it as part of a wider effort to intimidate opposition politicians in Taraba State.
The allegation was contained in a statement released on Thursday by his Special Assistant on Media, Joshua Yohanna Nafinji, who maintained that while the senator respects the constitutional responsibilities of the EFCC and other security agencies, there are growing concerns over what he described as the use of government institutions to target perceived political opponents.
According to the statement, the circumstances surrounding the EFCC invitation have strengthened public fears that anti-corruption agencies are being deployed for partisan political interests rather than impartial law enforcement.
Bwacha's media office cited the cases of former Minister of Transportation Mu'azu Jaji Sambo, former Minister of Power Sale Mamman, and politician Bello Bodejo, alleging that they also experienced politically motivated actions that negatively affected their participation in the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship and senatorial contests in Taraba State.
The statement further referenced the disappearance of Hon. Muktar Kawujo ahead of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) primaries, noting that the incident generated widespread public concern and debate among political stakeholders and supporters.
Expressing concern over what it described as a "disturbing pattern of intimidation, harassment, unlawful detention, and the deployment of state institutions against perceived political rivals," the media office warned that such actions could weaken democratic institutions and undermine public confidence in governance.
It called on the Taraba State Government to uphold the principles of fairness, transparency, political tolerance, and healthy democratic competition, while urging civil society organisations, the media, and democratic institutions to remain vigilant in protecting citizens' constitutional rights.
The statement also claimed that the development has attracted sympathy and support for Senator Bwacha from Nigerians within and outside Taraba State, insisting that the former lawmaker remains committed to the rule of law, justice, and democratic governance.
The media office concluded by stating that Senator Bwacha would not be intimidated and would continue to pursue what it described as the democratic aspirations and interests of the people of Taraba State.
TwisdicInfo Insight: The allegations by Senator Bwacha's media team come at a time when concerns over the independence of public institutions and political competition are increasingly becoming part of Nigeria's national conversation. While the claims reflect the position of the former senator's camp, neither the EFCC nor the Taraba State Government had publicly responded to the allegations at the time of this report.
Source: Statement by the Media Office of Senator Emmanuel Bwacha.