TD Abuja, FCT — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately vacate the court order freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government.
The directive comes after the EFCC secured a court order on August 5, 2026, to freeze Osun’s accounts, a move that sparked widespread debate given the proximity of the state’s gubernatorial election.
Tinubu, in a strongly worded statement from the State House, expressed embarrassment not at the EFCC’s lawful exercise of its mandate, but at the timing of the action.
“I feel deeply embarrassed not by the EFCC’s exercise of its mandate backed by a court order, but by the timing of the agency’s action,” the President said.
Independence of Institutions
Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to strengthening democratic institutions by allowing them to operate independently, free from political influence.
Since assuming office, he has consistently maintained that agencies such as the EFCC must discharge their duties professionally and without fear or favour.
However, he acknowledged that actions taken by federal institutions are often perceived as being directed by the presidency, even when he has no prior knowledge.
This, he said, makes it imperative for him to intervene when such actions risk undermining public confidence in governance.
Electoral Sensitivity
The President underscored the sensitivity of the timing, noting that Osun State is only days away from its gubernatorial election.
He warned that freezing the state’s accounts could be misconstrued as an attempt by the federal government to interfere in the democratic process.
Tinubu stated: “Osun State is only a few days away from its gubernatorial election.
“Therefore, nothing ought to be done to give an impression that the EFCC or indeed any other agency of the federal government is being used to interfere with the election.”
Directive to EFCC
Tinubu has therefore ordered the EFCC to discontinue its action against the Osun State Government and return to court to vacate the order.
He emphasized that this directive is issued in the overriding public interest of safeguarding the credibility, fairness, and integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.
Broader Context
The EFCC, Nigeria’s foremost anti-graft agency, has often been at the center of political controversies, particularly when its actions coincide with election periods.
Critics argue that such moves can be weaponized to tilt the political playing field.
Meanwhile, supporters insist the agency must act whenever corruption is suspected, regardless of timing.
Osun State, a politically strategic region in southwestern Nigeria, has historically been a battleground for major parties.
The freezing of its accounts just days before an election risked inflaming tensions and raising suspicions of federal bias.
Tinubu’s intervention appears aimed at calming the political climate and reinforcing his administration’s stance on non-interference in state-level elections.
The President concluded his statement by reaffirming his dedication to democratic principles and the rule of law.
