₦airaland Forum

Comrade Ayoyinka Oni, Chairman of the African Action Congress (AAC) in Lagos State, has criticized the federal government for publicly celebrating former Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, despite his pending corruption case.

In an interview published by Independent Nigeria on June 22, 2025, Oni expressed outrage over the presidency’s gesture of sending birthday wishes to Bello, who is currently on the radar of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly diverting public funds.

Oni questioned how a government that claims to fight corruption could openly honor someone declared wanted by its own anti-graft agency.

In his words:

"Imagine a Yahaya Bello that was declared wanted by the EFCC for diverting N80 billion for his personal use. Today, the presidency is wishing him a happy birthday. We are not a serious country."

He argued that this act reflects the deep-rooted culture of impunity among Nigeria’s ruling elite, where those accused of corruption continue to enjoy respect and protection in high places. According to him, this sends a dangerous signal that powerful individuals are above the law.

Oni's criticism highlights a larger concern about the credibility of Nigeria's fight against corruption. Many Nigerians have questioned the silence or support shown to politicians facing serious allegations, especially when such individuals are politically connected.

The EFCC had previously declared Bello wanted for allegedly misappropriating N80 billion during his tenure. Yet, the presidency’s public birthday message to him has drawn backlash from citizens and civil society groups.


As reported by Independent Nigeria, Oni believes that until leaders begin to take accountability seriously, Nigeria cannot be said to practice genuine democracy. He urged Nigerians to demand better governance and reject the normalization of corruption at the highest levels.

From Opera News

He was wanted in the team, not wanted in court. Know it now.

The EFCC chairman swore to resign if Yahaya Bello was not prosecuted...the spineless coward has swallowed his filthy words while his equally corrupt bosses celebrate one of their comrade in corruption and immorality.
This APC government of Tinubu has the morals of a prostitute.

You people complain a lot.

Let’s be real, sending birthday wishes doesn’t mean endorsing wrongdoing; it’s just basic civility, and due process still has to run its course.

SoftSport:
You people complain a lot.

Let’s be real, sending birthday wishes doesn’t mean endorsing wrongdoing; it’s just basic civility, and due process still has to run its course.

Yes, it's a wrong doing by all angles, Your government declared someone wanted for an alleged crime and the next minute you are celebrating that same person. It's not that the person has been prosecuted and found not guilty, here the person practically dodged all calls by the anti graft agency.
You are always too petty and careless to the issue of things.

Wishing him happy birthday is not a big deal, the problem here is they always get away with their evil doings because of money and connections and there's nothing a common man like us can do about it.

It means that the presidency doesn’t interfere with the activities of EFCC. Yahaya Bello is still innocent until proven guilty.

AdesegunSanni89:
It means that the presidency doesn’t interfere with the activities of EFCC. Yahaya Bello is still innocent until proven guilty.

Your president is obviously in bed with someone who has been evading arrest since 2024. And you're saying innocent.

Tinubu is a criminal.

Mabuggi88:
Yes, it's a wrong doing by all angles, Your government declared someone wanted for an alleged crime and the next minute you are celebrating that same person. It's not that the person has been prosecuted and found not guilty, here the person practically dodged all calls by the anti graft agency.
You are always too petty and careless to the issue of things.

When did you become a court? An alleged crime you said? Let a court of law pronounce him guilty of the allegations first. So, there is nothing bad in wishing him a 'happy birthday'

Hahahahaha. When the issue of Yahaya Bello's EFCC case came up, I said it's initial gra gra as the matter would be sorted behind the scenes.

That's politics for you

helinues:
Hahahahaha. When the issue of Yahaya Bello's EFCC case came up, I said it's initial gra gra as the matter would be sorted behind the scenes.

That's politics for you

So politics for people like you is to steal, steal and embezzle, then once you are in bed with tinubu, you are untouchable. Sometimes one can only wonder how backward the mentalities of lots of Nigerians are

He stole the money meant for Healthcare, infrastructures and other social amenities and to you its all about being sorted out behind the scenes. Very pathetic things every where

Zionmdde:
So politics for people like you is to steal, steal and embezzle, then once you are in bed with tinubu, you are untouchable. Sometimes one can only wonder how backward the mentalities of lots of Nigerians are

He stole the money meant for Healthcare, infrastructures and other social amenities and to you its all about being sorted out behind the scenes. Very pathetic things every where

And could you tell us where I supported Yahaya Bello for embezzling Kogi's state funds?

SoftSport:
You people complain a lot.

Let’s be real, sending birthday wishes doesn’t mean endorsing wrongdoing; it’s just basic civility, and due process still has to run its course.

Civility without conscience is cowardice.

When the President sends birthday greetings to Yahaya Bello a man wanted by the EFCC for diverting, looting, embezzling over ₦80 billion belonging to the people of Kogi State, it’s not “basic civility.” It’s a political dog whistle. You don’t send well-wishes to fugitives unless you’re signaling that impunity is alive and well.

Let’s not pretend this is harmless. The same Yahaya Bello wanted by the EFCC, whose chairman publicly vowed to resign if Bello isn't prosecuted was enlisted as a witness by the Tinubu-led APC government, not to answer for his crimes, but to testify against Natasha Akpoti in a case brought by the same government in favour of Senator Akpabio.

That’s not due process. That’s due protection.

So yes, we’ll complain. Because the system protects the looters. The Tinubu-led APC government isn’t just enabling corruption it is corruption, personified.

Mabuggi88:
Yes, it's a wrong doing by all angles, Your government declared someone wanted for an alleged crime and the next minute you are celebrating that same person. It's not that the person has been prosecuted and found not guilty, here the person practically dodged all calls by the anti graft agency.
You are always too petty and careless to the issue of things.

how is bello a wanted person?,he is being charged and is still innocent untill pronounced guilty…I’m not supporting bello but we shouldn’t let emotions and sentiment takeover our reasoning.

This is a national disgrace, not just a misstep.

How can a presidency that claims to fight corruption turn around and celebrate a man declared wanted by its own anti-corruption agency for looting N80 billion? Yahaya Bello is not just accused—he's a fugitive avoiding justice, and yet, the highest office in the land sends him birthday greetings like he's a hero. This is not governance. This is gangsterism with a presidential seal.

What message is the government sending to Nigerians? That if you steal public funds, you can still be honored as long as you're politically connected? This is a direct spit in the face of every honest citizen struggling under the weight of poverty, failed systems, and stolen futures.

Comrade Ayoyinka Oni is absolutely right—we are not a serious country when corruption is not only tolerated but openly endorsed from the very top. This action from the presidency isn’t just tone-deaf; it is a shameless validation of impunity. It proves that in Nigeria, the law is a weapon against the poor and a joke to the powerful.

Enough is enough. Nigerians must stop normalizing this nonsense. If the presidency cannot respect the basic principles of justice and accountability, it has lost the moral and political right to lead. Corruption should be punished, not applauded.

I don't see anything wrong with anyone celebrating with Bello on his birthday, he jas mot been convicted of any crime yet

We places politics above everything else.. that's why we have rich politicians stealing the common wealth with poor citizens and closing industries

The EFCC chairman ought to have resigned his job. He boldly said on TV that he would resign if Bello wasn’t prosecuted.

Both EFCC, Yaya Bello and federal govt are corrupt. So allow dem to celebrate each other as one big corrupt family.

helinues:
And could you tell us where I supported Yahaya Bello for embezzling Kogi's state funds?

So what does settling behind the scene mean if not "you have embezzled but nobody can touch you again"?

Zionmdde:
So what does settling behind the scene mean if not "you have embezzled but nobody can touch you again"?

That was just reality of politics. It doesn't matter whether I support it or not

Mabuggi88:
Yes, it's a wrong doing by all angles, Your government declared someone wanted for an alleged crime and the next minute you are celebrating that same person. It's not that the person has been prosecuted and found not guilty, here the person practically dodged all calls by the anti graft agency.
You are always too petty and careless to the issue of things.

The government never declared him wanted, EFCC declared him wanted. They are 2 very separate organs. And besides, he hasn't been found guilty by any court of law which is the single and only body that can pronounce him guilty or innocent.

Let's stop putting emotions into everything. Nigeria has some of the most educated people in the world but it doesn't reflect in discussions, only emotional tantrums.

SoftSport:
You people complain a lot.

Let’s be real, sending birthday wishes doesn’t mean endorsing wrongdoing; it’s just basic civility, and due process still has to run its course.

Coming from FG ?
how do you think?

if a yahoo boy still 1m from you, will you wish him happy birthday ?
A Man that stole our commonwealth?

Let yahaya bello join el rufais coalition,,,i would like to check out something

What do you expect since they are birds of the same feather.

erad:
The government never declared him wanted, EFCC declared him wanted. They are 2 very separate organs. And besides, he hasn't been found guilty by any court of law which is the single and only body that can pronounce him guilty or innocent.

Let's stop putting emotions into everything. Nigeria has some of the most educated people in the world but it doesn't reflect in discussions, only emotional tantrums.

Oga forget, will he ever be found guilty? Never. We all know he did that which he was being accused. He did that point blank. What type of emotions are you talking about? Emotions when you are the one typing with emotions, he did that, do you need a Court to declare him guilty. A Court that would never do that

Mabuggi88:
Oga forget, will he ever be found guilty? Never. We all know he did that which he was being accused. He did that point blank. What type of emotions are you talking about? Emotions when you are the one typing with emotions, he did that, do you need a Court to declare him guilty. A Court that would never do that

Go and arrest him and throw him inside jail then.

Approach discussions logically and based on facts, you no gree.