The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has firmly denied allegations that its Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, held a secret meeting with an incumbent and a former governor from the South-South region 48 hours before their defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The rebuttal follows claims made by Paul Ibe, spokesperson to former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today. Ibe alleged that both Olukoyede and the Solicitor General of the Federation met with two governors — one current and one former — at a government lodge in a South-South state, just two days before they switched allegiance to the ruling party.
While Ibe did not mention names, his claims came in the wake of the defection of Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori and his predecessor, Ifeanyi Okowa, from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in April. The governor of Akwa Ibom State has also reportedly declared his intention to join the APC.
In a swift response on Friday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale described the claims as “baseless” and “conjectural,” asserting that Olukoyede remains strictly apolitical.
“The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is outraged by the unfounded claims of Mr. Paul Ibe… alleging that Ola Olukoyede, Executive Chairman, held a secret meeting with an unnamed politician,” the statement read.
Oyewale emphasized that Olukoyede has, on several occasions, reiterated his impartiality and the EFCC’s non-partisan stance.
He added, “These allegations are patently fabricated and in bad taste… The public is advised to disregard this narrative as a product of mere imagination.”
The EFCC maintains that it remains committed to executing its mandate without political influence or bias.
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