President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately 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 State House statement issued on Thursday, the President said he became aware that the EFCC had secured the court order on August 5, 2026, but stressed that while he respects the agency’s constitutional mandate, he was deeply concerned that the move could create the impression of federal interference in the electoral process.
Tinubu reiterated his longstanding policy of allowing anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to operate independently without political interference. He noted that since assuming office, he has deliberately refrained from directing the operational activities of the EFCC and other investigative agencies, believing that strong democratic institutions must function within the limits of the law.
The President, however, said the proximity of the action to the Osun governorship election made the timing inappropriate.
According to him, with only a few days left before the election, no action should be taken that could undermine public confidence or suggest that any federal institution is being used to influence the democratic process.
Although Tinubu said he was yet to receive a full briefing on the circumstances that led the EFCC to obtain the freezing order, he maintained that preserving the integrity, credibility and fairness of the election was paramount.
He therefore directed the anti-graft agency to immediately return to court to vacate the order and discontinue all legal actions relating to the freezing of the Osun State Government’s accounts.
The President said the directive was issued in the overriding public interest to safeguard confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions and electoral process.
