The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has cautioned the Federal Government against any move to arrest or prosecute former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, over renewed financial misconduct allegations.
MURIC said taking such action at this stage, with the 2027 general elections approaching, could send the wrong signal to Nigerians and raise questions about the timing of the development.
The group’s position followed renewed calls for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to revisit allegations linked to Atiku’s tenure as vice president. A former member of the House of Representatives, Ehiozuwa Agbonayinma, had petitioned the EFCC to reopen the matter and reportedly gave the commission a 14-day ultimatum to act.
In a three-paragraph statement issued on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, MURIC’s Founder and Executive Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, said the Federal Government should exercise caution in handling the matter.
MURIC also referenced concerns raised by former Senator Dino Melaye, who has criticised the fresh petition and alleged that the issues had been dealt with more than a decade ago. Melaye has separately warned against inviting, arresting or interrogating Atiku over the petition.
According to Akintola, “With 2027 general elections at the doorsteps, we will like to caution the Federal Government (FG) against such a move. It lacks tact.”
He further warned that any action capable of creating the impression of political interference could affect Nigeria’s democratic image.
“At all cost, FG must avoid exhibiting a body language that is likely to portray Nigeria as a banana republic,” Akintola said, adding that Nigeria’s democratic values and norms remained important to its standing in the international community.
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The MURIC statement comes amid continuing political exchanges over the petition against Atiku, with Agbonayinma defending his action and challenging Melaye to address the substance of the allegations rather than his political antecedents.
MURIC urged the Federal Government to consider the broader implications of any action against the ADC presidential candidate, particularly in the context of the approaching 2027 election.
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