Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has called for the immediate release of Kogi-born businessman, Tunde Ayeni.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Frank alleged that anti-corruption agencies were engaging in “selective prosecution and political intimidation” targeting both Ayeni and former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
While expressing support for anti-corruption efforts, Frank insisted that investigations and prosecutions must not be selective.
“I must state that I support the fight against corruption, but it must be fair, balanced, and free from political witch-hunts.
“For instance, Tunde Ayeni has been discharged by the courts in previous cases brought against him by the EFCC. There are concerns that he is being targeted because of perceived political affiliations and sympathy for the opposition.
“Tunde Ayeni is a businessman, not a politician. His experience appears to many as a witch-hunt designed to weaken him because of his perceived support for the opposition.
“Friends and business associates who have suddenly become close to government officials are behind his incarceration, which has now lasted for about 30 days,” he said.
Frank urged the judiciary not to become an instrument for suppressing dissenting voices.
“Our judiciary must not allow itself to be used as an instrument of intimidation against those who hold differing political opinions,” he stated.
He warned that alleged abuse of state institutions could deepen public distrust in democratic governance and intensify concerns about political repression.
“If this pattern continues, it could further deepen public distrust, tension, and perceptions of dictatorship and illegality within the system. Our anti-graft agencies, such as the ICPC and EFCC, must avoid actions capable of setting the country on edge.”
Frank also expressed concern about election integrity and the treatment of opposition figures ahead of future elections.
“There are also growing concerns among Nigerians regarding election integrity. Many citizens fear the possible misuse of state institutions, intimidation of opposition voices, suppression of dissent, politically motivated prosecutions, voter suppression tactics, and lack of transparency in the electoral process,” he said.
“Election credibility is essential not only for democracy but also for national stability and conflict prevention. When citizens lose faith in democratic processes, instability, extremism, and social unrest often increase.”
According to him, intimidation of opposition figures during elections had become common in several African countries.
“It has become a recurring pattern in parts of Africa that, during elections, opposition figures are harassed, intimidated, or unlawfully targeted. Many Nigerians now fear that similar strategies are being deployed against opposition voices in Nigeria.”
Frank who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and the Middle East, therefore called on the United States government, international observers, and global human rights groups to closely monitor developments in Nigeria.
“It is for this reason that I call on the United States government, the international community, and global human rights organizations to pay close attention and intervene where necessary to protect Nigerians from intimidation, harassment, and abuse of state power,” he said.
He also alleged that some government and security officials had participated in acts of intimidation against opposition figures and vowed to submit names to international authorities.
“Let me also put on record that I am aware that certain persons within government and security agencies have allegedly been involved in acts of harassment, intimidation, and suppression against opposition figures and ordinary Nigerians. Their names will be forwarded to relevant international authorities, including the United States government, as soon as practicable.”
Frank further called for international sanctions against any officials found culpable in undermining democratic freedoms.
