Peter Obi, the Labour Party’s presidential candidate in the 2023 election, has called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to shift its focus away from trivial matters and towards more pressing issues of corruption.
News About Nigeria reports that Peter Obi said this on an Arise TV programme on Wednesday
He emphasised that the agency should be investigating allegations of budget padding, undisclosed subsidy payments, and inflated contracts, rather than arresting individuals for abusing the national currency.
According to Obi, the EFCC’s recent arrests of individuals like Bobrisky and Cubana Chief Priest for trivial offenses are a misallocation of resources.
He believes that the agency should be tackling more substantial issues that have a significant impact on the country’s economy.
Obi stated, “Instead of focusing on minor issues like arresting Bobrisky for dressing like a woman and spending N500 notes, our agencies should be addressing budget padding and other significant corruption issues.”
Obi’s comments come amidst allegations of discrepancies in the 2024 budget and claims of undisclosed subsidy payments.
Senator Abdul Ningi had previously alleged that the National Assembly approved a budget of N25 trillion, while President Bola Tinubu signed a budget of N28.7 trillion.
Additionally, there are claims that the President has reintroduced fuel subsidy, which was abolished in May 2023.
The presidency has denied these claims, insisting that fuel subsidy is gone.
Obi’s call for the EFCC to prioritise high-level corruption reflects the concerns of many Nigerians who feel that the agency’s focus on minor offenses detracts from its core mandate of tackling corruption and economic crimes.
