The presidency has rejected claims of the weaponization of anti-corruption agencies as put forward by opposition politicians.

On Sunday, a coalition of opposition leaders accused the federal government of deploying the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to intimidate and weaken political opponents, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to Nigeria’s multiparty democracy.

In a statement, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser to the president on information and strategy, described the opposition as failed politicians seeking scapegoats for their shortcomings.

He said claims that democracy is under threat because politicians are joining the All Progressives Congress (APC) are unfounded.

“Our constitution guarantees freedom of association and affords our people the right to change their political leanings at any time of their choosing,” the statement reads.

“None of the people who joined the governing APC was pressured to do so. They all did so of their own free will. They are being motivated by the noticeable gains of President Bola Tinubu’s reform programme.”

He asked whether Nigeria’s democracy was imperiled when politicians defected in droves to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) between 2000 and 2015.

Onanuga said ongoing investigations by the EFCC have exposed politicians who need to account for their stewardship in office.

He said those under investigation are now accusing Tinubu of weaponizing the EFCC for political purposes.

“While the Presidency does not speak for the EFCC and believes the agency can speak for itself, we must reiterate that the EFCC is an independent institution established by law and empowered to carry out its statutory responsibilities without interference or favour,” Onanuga said.

“The agency’s mandate is to investigate and prosecute financial crimes, irrespective of the personalities involved, their political affiliations, or their positions in society.

“We find it curious that the same people who claimed they want to rescue Nigeria are now the ones waging a war of attrition against accountability and probity.

“Those who have cases to answer before EFCC should be bold and brave enough to defend themselves if they are clean.

“The agency’s mandate is to investigate and prosecute financial crimes, irrespective of the personalities involved, their political affiliations, or their positions in society.”

Onanuga said Tinubu does not issue directives to any anti-corruption agency on whom to investigate, arrest, or prosecute.

He said the president is focused on addressing national challenges rather than engaging in political targeting.

Onanuga said prosecution is carried out by the courts and not through political manipulation. He said those found not guilty will be cleared by the judicial process.

Onanuga described allegations of EFCC weaponization as distractions by politicians running short of campaign issues.

He said no one is above the law and that political affiliation should not shield anyone from accountability.

“We have taken cognisance of the signatories to the statement. It is instructive that some of them were previously investigated and prosecuted by the EFCC even before President Tinubu took office in 2023,” he added.

“Some of these politicians have also been indicted in international financial probes for money laundering, with some of their accomplices jailed in foreign lands.”

Barring any last-minute change, MRS and other partners of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery are set to begin selling petrol at N739 per litre.

This comes two days after the refinery slashed its petrol gantry price from N828 to N699 per litre. Speaking at a press briefing at the Lekki refinery on Sunday, the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, said he was aware that despite lower gantry prices, some filling stations often choose to keep pump prices high, thereby sabotaging his efforts.

According to him, MRS would commence the sale of petrol at N739 per litre from Tuesday, while other partners would follow. Dangote alleged that some officials had met with certain marketers and encouraged them to keep prices high in order to frustrate the price reduction, stressing that he would fight to enforce the new price regime.

“I was told that the marketers have met with (some officials) and were told to make sure that the price is maintained high. But this price we are going to introduce, we are going to start with MRS stations most likely on Tuesday in Lagos; that N970 per litre, you won’t see it again. We have also asked members of IPMAN to come now.

We have asked anybody who can buy 10 trucks to come and buy 10 trucks at N699.

“We are going to use whatever resources that we have to make sure that we crash the price down. We will get these sales; maybe it will take us a week to 10 days. But first of all, within a week to 10 days, we will be able to deliver. For this December and January, we don’t want people to sell petrol for more than N740 nationwide. Those who want to keep the price to sabotage the government, we will fight as much as we can to make sure that these prices are down. That’s not the price. If you have money to come and buy, you can pick up petrol at N699,” he said.

Dangote said transporting petrol from the refinery costs no more than N15 per litre, questioning why pump prices would rise as high as N900 per litre. He also accused the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority of issuing 47 import licences to bring in more than seven billion litres of petrol in the first quarter of 2026, a move he said was killing local investments.

“Freight within Lagos is N10 or N15, maximum. So if it’s N10 to N15, everything is going to cost you N715. Why do you want to sell at N900? People should get the real price. I cannot come now and take the hit. Did we make money? No, we didn’t make money. But as we speak now, even our tanks are full because the NMDPRA has issued reckless licences. And we have to now go and complain to the government.

“They normally issue licences in the middle of the month. So, they are now ready to issue licences for about 7.5 billion litres for the first quarter of 2026, despite the fact that we have guaranteed to supply enough quantity.

“If you are talking about monopoly, did we stop anybody? They issued 47 licences. Let those people come and put up a refinery here, or let them go and buy even NNPC’s and operate them. If it’s profitable, they should go and do that now. NNPC was the only business that was bringing in fuel before.

“Now, we are the only one and one of the few modular refineries that are producing. Those modular refineries, I can tell you for nothing that they are almost on the verge of collapse. None of them is making a dime,” he added.

The billionaire businessman assured Nigerians that the N739 per litre price would be enforced, beginning with MRS stations on Tuesday. “Starting from Tuesday, MRS will start selling petrol at N739/litre. Definitely, we will enforce that low price. We will make sure that it’s implemented. If you have your truck, you can come here and buy it. We are selling at N699. The N699 includes the percentage of NMDPRA. So what actually comes out to us is about N389 or so,” he stated.

Contacted for his reaction, the NMDPRA spokesman, George Ene-Ita, said, “For now, no comment.”

All roads lead to the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly known as the National Arts Theatre, this Sunday, December 14, for the highly anticipated 17th edition of the Best of Nollywood (BON) Awards.

The event is set to be hosted by the dynamic duo of Bukunmi ‘KieKie’ Adeaga-Ilori and Adams Ibrahim Adebola (popularly known as VJ Adams), with the Executive Governor of Lagos State, His Excellency Babajide Sanwo-Olu, serving as the official Host Governor.

The ceremony promises to be a spectacular celebration of cinematic excellence. This year’s awards are not only a recognition of Nollywood’s best creative and technical talents but also a showcase of significant corporate and private support for the industry, highlighted by the endowment of key award categories.

These endowments underline a strategic partnership between the film industry and various high-profile entities and personalities.

The BON Awards proudly recognizes the commitment of several partners to fostering excellence in filmmaking. Among the esteemed endowers is the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa, who has generously endowed the coveted Best Indigenous Movie (Yoruba) category, emphasising the importance of local cultural narratives.

Further bolstering the awards, the prominent Lagos monarch, Oba Saheed Elegushi, has endowed the most prestigious prize of the night, the Best Movie category, highlighting his commitment to the overall success and quality of Nigerian cinema.

Corporate sponsors are also showing strong support, with Addme championing acting talent by endowing the Best Actress of the Year category, while Indomie shows its support for emerging talent through the Best Child Actor award.

Abundish highlights the creative technical aspects of filmmaking by endowing the Best Use of Food in a Movie category.

The founder of BON Awards, Seun Oloketuyi, noted that these endorsements provide crucial resources and prestige to the categories, ensuring the continued celebration of authentic storytelling and technical innovation within the industry.

“The support from Rt. Hon. Obasa for the Best Indigenous Movie award emphasizes the importance of preserving and promoting our rich cultural narratives through film,” said Oloketuyi.

“Likewise, the commitments from Addme, Indomie, Abundish, and the generous support of Oba Elegushi underscore the value placed on acting prowess and the creative technical elements that bring our stories to life.”

As the biggest names in Nollywood gather in Lagos, all eyes will be on the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts for what is set to be one of the most memorable nights in Nigerian cinema.