The Movement for the Actualization of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) has strongly criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the arrest and detention of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, accusing the anti-graft agency of selective justice and political vendetta under the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In a press statement issued on Sunday, MASSOB Leader, Comrade Uchenna Madu, said the EFCC’s conduct in handling corruption cases has exposed what he described as the agency’s “nakedness and market dance,” warning that its actions are further damaging Nigeria’s image before the international community.
According to Madu, the EFCC has failed in its “sacred duty” to fight corruption impartially, instead engaging in what he called a vendetta against perceived political enemies and critics of the Tinubu administration.
“The EFCC ought to be a major organ of government to redeem the badly damaged image of Nigeria,” Madu said. “However, its selective actions and insensitivity in discharging its responsibilities are deepening the corrupt image of the Nigerian state before the international community.”
He alleged that the anti-graft agency has deliberately turned a blind eye to what he described as “gross liquidation and embezzlement of the nation’s economy and treasury” by those currently in power, while aggressively targeting individuals considered inconvenient to the government.
Madu specifically condemned the arrest, swift arraignment and continued detention of Dr. Ngige, describing the action as unjustified and politically motivated.
“The sudden arrest and quick arraignment of Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, and his subsequent detention by the EFCC, exposed the nakedness and market dancing of this errand financial commission,” he said.
He further accused the EFCC of failing to provide clarity over allegations linking Ngige to companies allegedly used as proxies for contract awards.
“In its attempt to do its master’s bidding, the EFCC listed companies it claimed were Dr. Ngige’s proxies but failed to tell Nigerians whether those companies actually executed the contracts awarded to them,” Madu said.
Linking the development to national politics, the MASSOB leader alleged that growing anxiety within the Tinubu administration over a possible 2027 presidential ambition of Labour Party leader, Mr. Peter Obi, was behind what he described as increased political harassment.
“The fear of Mr. Peter Obi’s 2027 presidential ambition has sent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration into sleepless nights,” he said.
According to Madu, the EFCC’s action against Ngige followed shortly after Obi paid what he described as a “brotherly sympathy visit” to the former minister after an attack by criminal elements.
“Just days after Mr. Peter Obi visited Dr. Ngige, the Tinubu administration, using its toothless bulldog, began harassing Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige out of fear of Mr. Peter Obi,” he alleged.
Madu expressed concern that Ngige was being targeted because of his Igbo origin, despite his opposition to Biafra separatism.
“This unwarranted harassment is happening simply because Dr. Ngige is an Igbo man, even though he does not support Biafra separation,” he said.
While noting that Ngige, Obi and other Igbo political leaders still believe in a united Nigeria, the MASSOB leader warned that the group would not tolerate what he described as the humiliation of Igbo leaders by state institutions.
“Though Dr. Chris Nwabueze Ngige, Mr. Peter Obi and other Igbo political leaders still believe in the oneness of Nigeria, MASSOB will never allow them to be ridiculed by agents of Nigeria. We are all Igbos before Nigeria or Biafra,” Madu declared.
