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 as the state prepares for its governorship election scheduled for August 15.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the State House, the president said he was “deeply embarrassed” by the timing of the anti-graft agency’s move, stressing that although the EFCC acted within its statutory powers by obtaining a court order on August 5, 2026, the development could create the perception of federal interference in the electoral process.
Tinubu explained that while he remained committed to the independence of anti-corruption agencies, every action taken by a federal institution is often attributed to the Presidency, regardless of whether he had prior knowledge of it.
The president reiterated that since assuming office, he had consistently allowed the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies to carry out their constitutional responsibilities independently, professionally, and without interference.
“I have deliberately refrained from directing or interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC or any other investigative or prosecutorial agency because I firmly believe that strong democratic institutions, operating within the confines of the law, are indispensable to democratic good governance and the rule of law,” he stated.
However, Tinubu noted that the proximity of the Osun governorship election made the timing of the account-freezing order inappropriate, adding that no action should be taken that could undermine public confidence in the credibility and fairness of the electoral process.
While acknowledging that he had not yet been fully briefed on the facts that informed the EFCC’s application for the court order, the president said the overriding public interest required his intervention.
“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,” he said.
Consequently, Tinubu directed the EFCC to immediately return to court to vacate the order freezing the Osun State Government’s accounts and discontinue all legal actions instituted in the matter.
The president said the directive was aimed at preserving public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process and ensuring the integrity, credibility, and fairness of the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State.
