The Muslim Rights Concern cautions the Federal Government against any move to arrest or prosecute the ADC presidential candidate, saying such action could send the wrong signal ahead of the 2027 general elections.

By Abdullahi Yusuf

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has cautioned the Federal Government against any move to arrest former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar over allegations of financial misconduct, saying such action would lack tact with the 2027 general elections approaching.

The group’s warning followed renewed calls for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to revisit allegations involving Atiku from his time as vice president.

MURIC, in a statement by its Founder and Executive Director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, on Tuesday, said any attempt to reopen the matter at this stage could send the wrong signal to Nigerians.

The group cited recent concerns raised by Senator Dino Melaye, who has opposed a fresh petition seeking an EFCC investigation into allegations involving Atiku.

Melaye has described the petition as an attempt to “resurrect” allegations he said had been investigated and dismissed more than a decade ago.

MURIC said the timing of any possible action against Atiku was particularly important with the 2027 elections approaching.

“We warn that such an attempt at this point in time will send the wrong signal to Nigerians,” the group said.

“With 2027 general elections at the doorsteps, we will like to caution the Federal Government (FG) against such a move. It lacks tact.”

MURIC also accused such a move of being “long in impunity” and “short in emotional intelligence”, urging the government to consider the wider implications of any action involving a major opposition presidential candidate.

The group further warned the Federal Government against creating what it described as a perception that Nigeria was becoming a “banana republic”.

“At all cost, FG must avoid exhibiting a body language that is likely to portray Nigeria as a banana republic,” MURIC said.

The organisation said Nigeria had already lost ground on ethical standards and should protect its democratic values and norms.

“What is left for us are our democratic values and norms,” it said, adding that the country’s “corporate image in the global community is sinking fast.”

The latest controversy stems from a petition by former House of Representatives member Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma asking the EFCC to revisit allegations concerning Atiku’s period as vice president between 2005 and 2006. Agbonayinma gave the commission 14 days to act on the request.

Atiku has previously said he was not convicted despite investigations by different state institutions and challenged anyone with evidence against him to present it.

The EFCC had not publicly announced a decision on the petition as of the latest reports available.