The National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the North-East, Mustapha Salihu, has dismissed claims that politicians who defect to the ruling party are shielded from corruption investigations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Salihu made the assertion on Saturday night while speaking with journalists at his private residence in Yola, Adamawa State, describing the allegation as a deliberate attempt to discredit the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
According to him, the belief that joining the APC guarantees immunity from prosecution is false and misleading.
“The notion that anyone can escape prosecution simply by joining APC is designed to blackmail this administration. This government has zero tolerance for corruption,” Salihu said.
His comments come barely two months after former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, alleged that the APC had become a safe haven for politicians fleeing EFCC investigations.
Babachir had claimed that, “more patriots will soon join us even as the PDP self-destructs and the APC becomes a haven for EFCC fugitives,” describing the ruling party as “delusional” and accusing it of planning to manipulate the 2027 general elections.
Responding to the allegation, Salihu urged Nigerians with credible evidence against any APC member to submit formal petitions, assuring that the party would not protect anyone found culpable.
“Anyone with information on any APC chieftain involved in corruption should write a petition. We will investigate, and if found guilty, such a person will be prosecuted,” he said.
He further disclosed that some APC leaders were already returning stolen funds as part of ongoing investigations.
“A lot of APC chieftains have done plea bargains and are returning money. Anyone that stole public funds will be prosecuted, even if you join APC, because corruption killed the economy of this country,” Salihu added.
Tracing the origins of the party, Salihu said the APC was initially formed as a coalition to wrest power from former President Goodluck Jonathan.
“We succeeded, and Jonathan was sent out of power. After that, people with a one-party ideology of policy-seeking coalition stayed on one side, while political pirates or buccaneers stayed on the other side,” he said.
According to him, those driven solely by the quest for power eventually exited the party, leaving behind members committed to governance and policy direction.
“The power-seeking coalition is no longer in APC because they could not get what they wanted. For the majority of us, we were policy-seeking, so we remain to build the country,” he added.
Salihu also criticised the African Democratic Congress (ADC), predicting that the party would not survive beyond the 2027 general elections.
“ADC is a power-seeking coalition, so it will not last. About 80 per cent of those who joined or fused into ADC are presidential candidates,” he said.
He argued that internal rivalry and lack of compromise would ultimately weaken the party.
“They already have a Messianic attitude. Nobody will step down or support another candidate. It is winners-take-all. Once their ambition does not materialise, they will move to another party,” he added.
On speculation that Adamawa State Governor Ahmadu Fintiri might defect to the APC, Salihu said political negotiations are not conducted in public.
“Political discussions are not done on television or in newspapers. Our job in APC is to woo everyone into the party,” he said.
“I will be happy if Fintiri joins APC today. It is criminal and undemocratic to stop anyone from joining a group of their choice. If he comes, good. If he does not, I will wish him well — but I will not wish him good luck,” Salihu stated.