The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed allegations that it is being used by the ruling party to target opposition politicians, insisting that it remains committed solely to its statutory mandate of fighting corruption.

In a statement released on Monday via its official 𝕏 (formerly Twitter) account, the anti-graft agency said its operations are guided strictly by law and are carried out without regard to political affiliation.

The EFCC’s response followed a joint statement by several opposition figures, including former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, who accused the EFCC, the Nigeria Police and other state institutions of being deployed for “selective justice” aimed at weakening opposition voices and undermining Nigeria’s multi-party democracy ahead of the 2027 general elections.

However, the Commission rejected the claims, stressing that its mandate is to tackle economic and financial crimes, not opposition politicians.

According to the EFCC, records of arrests and prosecutions over the past two years show that suspects from both the ruling party and opposition parties, as well as non-political actors, have been investigated and prosecuted.

“The EFCC’s weapon is its Establishment Act, which mandates the Commission to investigate and prosecute all economic and financial crimes. The only exemption exemption applies to political office holders enjoying constitutional immunity while in office," the statement said.

The Commission described accusations of “weaponisation,” “politicisation,” and “persecution of opposition politicians” as deliberate misrepresentation of its responsibilities.

“Suspects of corrupt practices from the ruling party, opposition parties and non-partisan actors have no immunity and are being equally investigated and prosecuted,” the EFCC stated.

It further argued that questioning suspects over allegations of corruption does not amount to persecution, stressing that crimes such as embezzlement, money laundering and contract fraud are not excusable on political grounds.

“Corruption has no gender, religion, tribe or political party. Selective outrage cannot be a defence against criminal investigation,” the Commission said.

The EFCC warned that attempts to intimidate or blackmail the agency into abandoning investigations pose a greater threat to democracy than the Commission carrying out its lawful duties.

It also accused some opposition politicians of seeking to shield themselves from prosecution by portraying anti-corruption efforts as political persecution, describing such attempts as contrary to the Constitution and the EFCC Act.

The Commission concluded by reaffirming that it would not succumb to pressure or blackmail and called on “well-meaning and patriotic Nigerians” to support its anti-corruption mandate.