ABUJA — The political “civil war” within Nigeria’s elite reached a fever pitch on Tuesday evening, February 17, 2026, as former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi launched a blistering verbal assault on the Presidency, accusing President Bola Tinubu of “weaponising” the nation’s anti-graft agencies to decapitate the opposition.
Speaking shortly after news broke that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had granted administrative bail to former Kaduna Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Amaechi dismissed the 30-hour interrogation as a “clumsy political hit-job” designed to intimidate the newly formed African Democratic Congress (ADC) coalition.
The “2027” Warning
Amaechi, who has emerged as the chief strategist for the anti-Tinubu alliance, was unequivocal in his defiance. He argued that the President is “wasting his time” trying to use the EFCC and the Department of State Services (DSS) to settle personal scores.
“Tinubu is wasting his time thinking he can use the EFCC to harass opposition leaders,” Amaechi declared. “The ADC is here to stay, and we will meet at the ballot in 2027. You cannot use handcuffs to stop a movement whose time has come. If they want to fight corruption, let them start with the skeletons sitting around the FEC table in the Villa.”
A “Double-Team” Tactic
The former Rivers Governor’s outburst comes as El-Rufai remains trapped in a legal “pincer movement.” While the EFCC is grilling him over a N423 billion misappropriation probe from his time in Kaduna, the DSS has simultaneously filed three counts of cybercrime against him for allegedly bugging the phone of National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu.
Amaechi suggested that the sudden “discovery” of these alleged crimes—years after they supposedly occurred—is a transparent attempt to “ground” El-Rufai before the 2027 campaign kicks into high gear.
“The Activism of the Sidelined”—Nigerians Fire Back
While Amaechi’s “tell-all” stance has gained massive traction, it has also drawn fierce criticism from a cross-section of Nigerians who view the sudden “moral awakening” of former APC heavyweights with deep skepticism.
- “Pot Calling Kettle Black”: “Amaechi was a Minister for eight years. He was the Director-General of the campaigns that brought this system to power,” remarked one Abuja-based analyst. “Now that he’s on the menu, he’s discovered ‘human rights.’ It’s the activism of the sidelined.”
- “Economic Hostages”: Many Nigerians expressed disgust that the political class is already fighting over 2027 while the country faces a hunger crisis. “Amaechi is laughing, El-Rufai is in a cell, and Tinubu is signing warrants. Meanwhile, we can’t afford a bag of rice. They are all the same,” a viral post on X (formerly Twitter) read.
- “Weaponising Justice”: Critics argued that while the allegations against El-Rufai may be serious, the procedural somersaults—like charging him without an interrogation—make the government look desperate.
The Stand-off Continues
As of 7:30 PM, El-Rufai remains inside the EFCC’s Jabi headquarters. His legal team is reportedly struggling to meet the “stringent” bail conditions, even as DSS operatives remain on standby outside, allegedly waiting to “re-arrest” him the moment he steps onto the street.
For Amaechi and the ADC, the message to Aso Rock is clear: the more the government squeezes, the harder the opposition will push back. But for the average Nigerian, the sight of former “besties” trading wiretaps and jail cells is a stark reminder of a political class that remains dangerously disconnected from the reality of the streets.
