The Federal Government has dismissed claims circulating online that it plans to unlawfully arrest, detain or prosecute opposition figures, describing the allegations as false and deliberately misleading.
The government was reacting to a document alleging the creation of a multi-agency task force under a programme tagged “ADP4VIP” (Arrest, Detain, Prosecute for Very Important Persons), purportedly aimed at targeting key opposition politicians.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the government said the document was entirely fabricated and had no basis in reality.
“The Federal Government of Nigeria categorically states that it harbours no plans to unlawfully arrest, detain, or prosecute opposition figures,” Idris said.
According to him, the document falsely claimed that agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, and the Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit, NFIU, were operating under the coordination of the Office of the National Security Adviser to target opposition figures without due process.
Idris stressed that “there is no such programme as ‘ADP4VIP’,” adding that the allegations were part of a deliberate disinformation campaign.
He said the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was focused on governance rather than political vendettas.
“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, is firmly and successfully focused on its core agenda: implementing measurable economic reforms, defeating insecurity, expanding trade opportunities, and restoring investor confidence,” the minister stated.
The government also accused some opposition elements of attempting to portray legitimate accountability efforts as political persecution.
“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,” Idris said.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Tinubu administration to constitutional democracy, noting that the right to freedom of association is guaranteed under Section 40 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
“President Tinubu swore an oath to uphold this Constitution and its protections, including the freedoms of association and religion. He is a democrat with considerable and positive footprints,” he added.
The minister emphasised that under President 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,” he said.
Idris warned against the spread of fake news, particularly as the country moves closer to the 2027 general elections.
“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,” he said.
He urged Nigerians to remain vigilant and reject what he described as “the politics of distortion and division,” assuring that the government would remain focused on delivering results.
“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,” the statement added.
