ABUJA – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately vacate the court order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government, saying the action could undermine public confidence in the credibility of the state’s forthcoming governorship election.
The presidential directive came barely a day after the anti-graft agency disclosed that it had been investigating the Osun State Government since March 2026 over the alleged fraudulent management of Ecological Funds, Intervention Funds and Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations.
The EFCC had also confirmed that it secured a court order on August 5, 2026, freezing the state’s accounts as part of the investigation.
However, in a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu said he was only informed after the court order had been obtained.
While reaffirming the EFCC’s constitutional responsibility to investigate corruption and enforce the law, the President maintained that the timing of the action, with the Osun governorship election only days away, was inappropriate and capable of creating the impression of federal interference in the electoral process.
Tinubu stressed that since assuming office, he has deliberately refrained from interfering in the operations of the EFCC and other investigative agencies, insisting that democratic institutions must function independently, professionally and strictly within the confines of the law.
He explained that although he had not been fully briefed on the circumstances that prompted the anti-graft agency’s decision, the overriding public interest and the need to preserve confidence in Nigeria’s democracy made presidential intervention imperative.
“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 any other agency of the Federal Government is being used to interfere with the election,” the President stated.
Tinubu further observed that actions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to the Presidency, regardless of whether he had prior knowledge or involvement, emphasizing that agencies must exercise their independence with due regard for public perception and the integrity of the democratic process.
Consequently, the President directed the EFCC to return to court without delay to vacate the freezing order and discontinue all actions instituted against the Osun State Government in connection with the matter.
The directive has added a fresh dimension to the political atmosphere ahead of the Osun governorship election, with analysts expecting renewed debate over the delicate balance between anti-corruption enforcement and the imperative of ensuring free, fair and credible elections.
