Oginni Olaposi Sunday, the National Secretary of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP), has strongly criticized Rabiu Kwankwaso, the party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, for obtaining a court order to halt his invitation, arrest, and prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in Kano State.
Speaking to reporters in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, Oginni expressed his belief that the court order acquired by Kwankwaso is insufficient to shield him from the legal consequences he may face.
The NNPP official emphasized that pervasive corruption within successive governments and among politicians in Nigeria has severely undermined the country’s democracy.
Oginni, while disapproving of Kwankwaso’s decision to resort to the courts for protection, clarified that the NNPP, as a law-abiding political party, had already engaged the appropriate government agency responsible for combatting corruption in Nigeria.
Furthermore, he urged Kwankwaso to voluntarily present himself to the anti-graft agency instead of engaging in unnecessary confrontations akin to the embattled former Governor of Kogi State, Yahaya Bello.
Oginni expressed concern over the growing trend of resistance by former governors to EFCC investigations, highlighting the case of Yahaya Bello, who also obtained a court order from the Kogi State High Court to impede the EFCC’s prosecution.
Oginni stated that the NNPP had formally requested the EFCC to investigate Senator Kwankwaso and other party officials regarding the alleged misappropriation of funds collected from the sale of nomination forms and campaign donations for the 2023 general elections.
He criticized Kwankwaso’s move to secure a court order to obstruct the anti-graft agency’s investigation, paralleling it to Yahaya Bello’s attempts to frustrate EFCC’s efforts.
In conclusion, Oginni emphasized that the EFCC is well-equipped to carry out its duties and called upon Nigerians who value integrity to encourage Senator Kwankwaso to willingly cooperate with the EFCC instead of evading investigation.
He stressed that peaceful engagement with the anti-graft agency is a more honorable approach than engaging in unnecessary confrontations similar to Yahaya Bello.
