Silencing Dissent or Fighting Corruption?
By Abba Dukawa
This article examines a question raised by political commentators and stakeholders: Is the All Progressives Congress (APC)’s anti-corruption drive a sincere reform effort, or a cover for suppressing dissent?
The issue remains central to public debate. The line between fighting corruption and silencing dissent must remain clear. A genuine anti-corruption campaign strengthens institutions, promotes transparency, and upholds the rule of law. Silencing critics weakens democracy and erodes public trust. True reform welcomes scrutiny; it does not fear it.
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Tackling corruption is a fundamental duty of any government, particularly in a country where it has long undermined development, public confidence, and institutional credibility. Investigating and prosecuting wrongdoing can demonstrate commitment to accountability.
Concerns arise, however, when enforcement appears selective—targeting opposition figures or perceived rivals while allies remain untouched. In such circumstances, reform efforts risk being viewed as political strategy.
A credible anti-corruption campaign must be impartial, transparent, and firmly rooted in the rule of law, free from partisan influence. Its legitimacy depends on consistency and due process. Without these safeguards, even well-intentioned initiatives may be perceived as instruments of political control rather than tools of national progress.
Another pressing issue is the health of Nigeria’s democracy, sustained through the sacrifices of pro-democracy advocates. Yet many observers warn of a drift toward one-party dominance. Mr. President, you earned your place in history as a pro-democracy figure during military rule.
You understand that democracy is not merely about winning elections; it is about protecting liberty, ensuring fairness, and safeguarding citizens’ right to question authority without fear. As the next general election approaches, public confidence in democratic institutions must remain paramount.
You are President for all Nigerians, not only members of your party. The political climate is tense, and opposition leaders accuse your administration of targeting them. Whether accurate or not, perception carries weight in politics.
No individual is above the law. Where credible evidence exists, prosecution is necessary. Accountability sustains democratic governance. Yet justice must be transparent, consistent, and demonstrably free from partisan influence.
Recent prosecutions of high-profile opposition figures have heightened public anxiety. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has charged former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami with money laundering and abuse of office, alleging concealment of unlawful proceeds and acquisition of illicit properties. His supporters, including the African Democratic Congress, question the timing of the charges, suggesting political motivation. The EFCC maintains that its case is evidence-based and independent.
Similarly, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai was arrested in connection with a corruption probe. After reportedly receiving administrative bail from the EFCC, he was rearrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) over separate cybercrime allegations.
The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) later confirmed that he was in its custody as part of another investigation. These developments, occurring amid political realignments ahead of 2027, have intensified constitutional and civil liberty concerns.Enforcement agencies insist their actions are impartial.
Yet when investigations coincide with sensitive political moments, even strong cases may attract suspicion. Public discourse shifts from the substance of allegations to questions of motive—a shift that can undermine confidence in anti-corruption efforts.
Selective or perceived selective justice unsettles institutions, deepens distrust, and fuels claims that state power shapes outcomes. Allegations of strategically timed prosecutions weaken confidence in enforcement agencies’ neutrality.
In politics, perception influences stability. A democracy endures not only through lawful action but through public trust that the law is applied fairly and consistently. Recent defections from opposition parties to the ruling party have heightened public scrutiny.
When elected officials change allegiance amid investigations or political pressure, citizens question whether such moves reflect conviction or self-preservation. Democracy suffers when political migration appears driven by fear rather than principle.
Mr. President, leadership is measured not only by authority but by restraint. A dominant ruling party without credible opposition signals imbalance, not strength. Multiparty democracy relies on competition, oversight, and genuine electoral choice.
Nigeria’s democracy is resilient but remains vulnerable. It cannot afford the perception that dissent is criminalized or opposition voices systematically weakened. Political competition belongs at the ballot box, not in investigative processes clouded by suspicion.
As 2027 approaches, Nigerians are asking difficult questions. Will democratic norms deepen or erode? Will opposition parties operate freely? A democracy where critics speak in whispers is one in retreat.
History remembers leaders not for how tightly they held power, but for how responsibly they exercised it. Investigative and security institutions are public trusts. When they operate impartially, democracy strengthens. When they appear politically aligned, public confidence falters.
The fight against corruption must continue—firmly and credibly. It must be blind to party affiliation and immune to political calculation. Justice must not only be done; it must be seen to be done.
Nigeria stands at a crossroads.
The choice is not between accountability and opposition. It is between strengthening institutions and straining them—between building confidence and breeding suspicion. The question remains: Are we fighting corruption or constricting dissent? The answer will shape the future of our democracy.
Dukawa writes from Kano and can be reached at abbahydukawa@gmail.com.
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