President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately seek the reversal of 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 on Thursday, the President said he was “deeply embarrassed” by the timing of the EFCC’s move, although he stressed that the anti-graft agency was acting within its legal mandate after obtaining a court order on August 5, 2026.
Tinubu noted that actions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to the President, even when he has no prior knowledge of them.
The President reiterated his administration’s commitment to the independence of anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies, saying he has consistently refrained from interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC and other investigative bodies.
According to him, strong democratic institutions must be allowed to perform their statutory duties professionally, independently, and without political interference.
However, Tinubu said the timing of the EFCC’s action was inappropriate, particularly as Osun State is only days away from its governorship election.
He warned that no action should create the impression that any federal agency is being used to influence the electoral process.
“In the overriding public interest and to preserve public confidence in the integrity, credibility and fairness of our democratic process, I have directed the EFCC to immediately proceed to court to vacate the order and discontinue whatever action it has instituted against the Osun State Government in this regard,” the President said.
The directive comes amid heightened political tension in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, where allegations of intimidation and political interference have dominated public discourse.
