President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately return to court and vacate the order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government, citing the need to protect the integrity and credibility of the August 15 governorship election.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the President said he was “deeply embarrassed” by the timing of the EFCC’s action, stressing that while he respects the agency’s independence and legal mandate, the decision could create the impression of federal interference in the electoral process.
Tinubu reiterated that since assuming office, he has allowed anti-corruption agencies to operate independently without political influence. However, he noted that the proximity of the Osun governorship election made the situation exceptional.
According to the President, no action by any federal institution should undermine public confidence in the democratic process or suggest that government agencies are being used to influence elections.
Consequently, Tinubu directed the EFCC to immediately seek the reversal of the court order freezing the state’s accounts and discontinue the action against the Osun State Government.
The development comes amid widespread criticism from opposition parties, legal practitioners, and civil society organisations, who argued that the account freeze could disrupt governance and raise concerns about electoral fairness ahead of the August 15 poll.
