Daniel Bwala, a former aide to ex-Vice President Atiku Abubakar, has accused Nigerian governors of orchestrating efforts to undermine democracy by challenging the legitimacy of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Bwala expressed concerns over a suit filed by 16 state governments at the Supreme Court, which questions the legal foundation of the anti-graft agency.

Bwala, a former member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), described the governors’ move as a deliberate strategy to weaken the nation’s democracy.

He further suggested that the governors are trying to evade scrutiny over their performance and governance.

“The governors in Nigeria are making concerted efforts to destroy this democracy,” Bwala stated during the interview.

He argued that the pressure on the federal government, particularly on President Bola Tinubu, has diverted attention from the crucial roles that state governors play in administering their regions.

Despite receiving substantial federal allocations, Bwala criticised the governors for failing to foster development in their states.

“The majority of this allocation goes to the state. The development is at the state level and local level, and nobody cares to look at governors and probe them on their affairs,” he added.

He went on to accuse the governors of being behind some of the country’s corruption and suggested that this might be the driving force behind their push to dissolve the EFCC.

Bwala’s remarks add to the growing debate about the future of anti-corruption efforts in Nigeria.