FG reaffirms commitment to rule of law, debunks allegation of supressing opposition

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the rule of law and debunked allegations of harbouring plans to unlawfully arrest, detain, and prosecute opposition figures in the country.

This is contained in a statement signed by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, on Tuesday in Abuja.

Idris said that the clarification was necessitated by a fabricated document in circulation alleging the establishment of a nonexistent multi-agency task force for a purported programme tagged, “Arrest, Detain, Prosecute for Very Important Persons” (ADP4VIP).

“The document falsely claims that a task force comprising the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU), coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser, aimed to aggressively target prominent opposition figures without due process.

“The authors of this deliberate disinformation imprudently cites “multiple credible sources” to the alleged planned “systematic weakening and neutralisation of opposition political activity,” particularly within the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“The Federal Government wishes to state emphatically that there is no such programme as “ADP4VIP.”

“The administration of President Bola Tinubu is firmly and successfully focused on its core agenda: implementing measurable economic reforms, defeating insecurity, expanding trade opportunities, and restoring investor confidence.

“The attempt by some opposition elements to frame lawful accountability as political targeting is a dangerous red herring designed to shield so-called VIPs from answering to our national laws and anti-corruption agencies,” he said.

Idris underscored government’s foundational principles as enshrined in Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) which guarantees every Nigerian the right to freely associate and assemble.

He further said that Tinubu swore an oath to uphold the Constitution and its provisions, including the freedoms of association and religion.

The minister said “President Tinubu is a democrat with considerable and positive footprints.

“Under Tinubu’s leadership, the federal government remains committed to the rule of law, due process, and the independence of institutions.

“Nigeria is a constitutional democracy where law enforcement and judicial agencies are obligated to perform their duties professionally, without interference, and in the nation’s best interest.”

The advised politicians and citizens to desist from engaging in disinformation, misinformation, and fake news, especially in an era where credibility is intrinsically linked to informational fidelity.

“With the 2027 general elections on the horizon, the public should anticipate an increase in fabricated narratives and political blackmail by actors who employ falsehood as a strategy for relevance.

“We urge all Nigerians to remain vigilant and to reject the politics of distortion and division,” he said.

Idris further reiterated that every Nigerian retained the constitutional right to lawful association and political activity.

He said, in he same vein, the security and anti-corruption institutions retained the lawful mandate to operate in the nation’s interest.

“As we draw the curtain on 2025 and step into a new year, this government will not be distracted by those invested in perpetual politicking.

“Nigerians deserve continuity, progress, and tangible results – and that is what the Tinubu Administration remains dedicated to delivering,” Idris said.