Public affairs analyst Victor Kala has urged All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Engr. Toyin Zachaeuous to cease efforts to involve President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) probe into alleged corruption against him. Speaking during a briefing in Abuja on Friday, Kala emphasized that the investigation should proceed without political interference ahead of the 2027 general election.
Kala, a civil society advocate, stated that the ICPC must be allowed to conduct its independent investigation against the Ekiti South Federal Constituency I candidate without fear or favour. He argued that applying pressure on the anti-graft agency to discontinue its case is "uncalled for" given the defined nature of the corruption allegations.
“So now, the pressure on the ICPC to step down is uncalled for in a defined case of corruption against Engr. Toyin Zachaeuous. So Nigerians must know the outcome of that. This man, these allegations are just, did you do it or not? We are also following it to get his responses,” Kala said.The analyst noted that the current situation is damaging Nigeria’s international image, as various groups in the Federal Capital Territory, Ekiti, and the National Assembly have held press conferences taking opposing stances on the matter. He criticized the use of the President’s name to defend the candidate, warning that it creates the perception that the administration is endorsing illegality.
“It is presenting the Nigerian image in a negative light. How will you be using the name of Mr. President to say, yes, this is Mr. President’s candidate, when he is not qualified in defence of the law? So when you say Mr. President has endorsed illegality, you know what it means,” he added.Daily Post reports that the ICPC previously invited Engr. Zachaeuous to respond to the alleged corruption charges. Kala’s comments come as the political landscape heats up in anticipation of the 2027 polls, with civil society actors calling for due process in high-profile legal matters.
<small>Source: Daily Post Nigeria — read the original story there.</small>
