President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately take steps to vacate a court order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government, citing concerns over the timing of the action ahead of the state’s governorship election.
In a statement issued from the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Thursday, Tinubu said he became aware that the EFCC had secured a court order on August 5, 2026, freezing the state’s accounts.
The President said although he respects the EFCC’s constitutional mandate and its operational independence, he was deeply concerned that the timing of the action could create the impression that the Federal Government was attempting to influence the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State.
Tinubu stressed that since assuming office, he had consistently allowed anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to carry out their statutory duties without political interference, insisting that democratic institutions must be allowed to function independently within the ambit of the law.
According to him, every action taken by federal institutions is often attributed to the Presidency, even when such actions are undertaken without his prior knowledge.
“I have consistently maintained that anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies must be allowed to discharge their statutory responsibilities independently, professionally, without fear or favour, or political interference,” the President said.
He noted that while he had not been fully briefed on the facts that prompted the EFCC to obtain the court order, he believed the timing of the action was “inauspicious” given the proximity of the Osun governorship election.
The President said no action should be taken that could undermine public confidence or give the impression that any federal agency was being deployed to interfere with the democratic process.
“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,” Tinubu stated.
Consequently, the President directed the anti-graft agency to immediately return to court to vacate the freezing order and discontinue the legal action instituted against the Osun State Government.
Tinubu said the directive was issued in the overriding public interest to preserve the integrity, credibility and fairness of Nigeria’s democratic process.