Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has ordered the country’s anti-corruption agency to unfreeze the bank accounts of Osun State, warning that the action risks undermining public trust ahead of a crucial local election.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) obtained a court order on Wednesday to freeze the state government’s accounts as part of an ongoing investigation.
However, in a statement issued from the presidential villa on Thursday, President Tinubu expressed deep embarrassment over the move, citing its proximity to the upcoming gubernatorial poll in the south-western state.”Osun State is only a few days away from its gubernatorial election,” Mr. Tinubu said. “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.”While maintaining that he has consistently allowed law enforcement bodies to operate independently without political interference, the president said the timing of the agency’s court action was “inauspicious” and required direct presidential intervention to preserve the integrity of the democratic process.”Accordingly, I have directed the EFCC to immediately proceed to the court to vacate the order and discontinue whatever action it has instituted against the Osun State Government in this regard,” the statement read.
The EFCC has not yet publicly commented on the president’s directive or detailed the specific allegations that prompted the initial freezing order. Political tension in Osun State has escalated sharply in recent weeks as major political parties gear up for the vote, with opposition figures frequently accusing the central government of using federal institutions to tilt the playing field.
Nigeria’s anti-corruption bodies have long faced criticism from opponents over the timing of high-profile financial investigations during election cycles, a charge federal authorities have repeatedly denied.
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