![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/quicknewsnigeria.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/1000991967.jpg?resize=640%2C506&ssl=1\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nThis is a call to every Nigerian to resist this gradual erosion of democratic values. The Federal Government continues to face accusations of targeting the opposition through intimidation, political arm-twisting, the suppression of opposition parties, and the use of state institutions – including the EFCC and, increasingly, the judiciary – as instruments of political pressure ahead of the 2027 general election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The latest target, it would appear, is Governor Seyi Makinde.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ever since Governor Makinde declared his presidential ambition, one political storm after another has emerged. Suddenly, the previously subdued Oyo State APC has found its voice, emboldened by the excesses of the Tinubu administration, with allegations that Makinde is attempting to evade scrutiny by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the APC, Governor Makinde is making spirited efforts to prevent the EFCC from examining the financial records of his administration over the past seven years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This is where the narrative becomes truly baffling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why the sudden urgency to scrutinise the finances of an administration that is still constitutionally in office? Why the haste to demand records relating to contracts that remain active and projects that are still being executed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Government is an ongoing process, not a completed exercise until it rounds up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Projects are still in progress. Contractors remain under valid agreements. Payments continue to be processed in accordance with approved budgets, while financial records are maintained for eventual auditing and handover at the end of the administration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Why not allow the normal constitutional process to run its course?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
What is wrong with waiting until the administration completes its tenure, submits its final audited accounts, and hands over to its successor?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It is precisely for this reason that the Oyo State Government approached the courts. A Federal High Court sitting in Ibadan granted an order restraining the EFCC from obtaining financial details relating to contracts awarded by the Makinde administration from 2021 to date and also restrained the Commission from investigating allegations relating to those matters pending the determination of the suit before it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The courts exist to determine disputes of this nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The growing perception of a politically motivated campaign against Governor Makinde must end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Those familiar with Makinde’s reputation for financial discipline have repeatedly argued that he has nothing to fear from accountability or lawful investigation. Once his tenure expires and constitutional immunity no longer applies, every anti-corruption agency will be free to carry out its constitutional responsibilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If there is a case to answer, let it be answered.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If there is none, which there will not be – then let political persecution not masquerade as anti-corruption.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Governor Makinde has consistently projected transparency and accountability as central pillars of his administration over the past eight years. His willingness to openly challenge the excesses of the Federal Government and remain one of the few prominent voices resisting the shrinking democratic space suggests that he is not acting like a man with something to hide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For now, however, the EFCC should allow due process to prevail rather than placing the cart before the horse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As for the APC, its decision to rely on political defectors and turn coats such as Ayo Fayose and Taofeeq Arapaja to attack Governor Makinde only reinforces the impression that the APC considers him a formidable political opponent.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Regarding Arapaja, history will ultimately judge his political choices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A man widely perceived by his critics to have turned against those who once supported him cannot expect to escape public scrutiny. It is difficult to reconcile public criticism of Governor Makinde with reports that Arapaja continues to occupy a residence allegedly purchased for him through Makinde’s generosity. Equally puzzling are claims that Makinde removed his security details, despite the fact that security deployments, given his positions and alliances, fall within the authority of the relevant security agencies, not the personal discretion of a governor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One cannot serve two opposing political interests indefinitely without eventually confronting the consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Time has a way of exposing political relevance – or the lack of it. When Arapaja has been used and chewed by the APC, with the doom that awaits his political eclipse, it will become quite glaring, that he is a pussycat pretending to be a lion. A political paper weight and grassroots nonentity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Dare Adeleke writes from Ibadan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
It is deeply disturbing that Nigeria’s democracy appears to be sliding into a dangerous abyss<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[3,12],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2982","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-home","category-opinion"],"yoast_head":"\n