Osun Polls: Tinubu Orders EFCC to Unfreeze State Government Accounts
ABUJA, NIGERIA — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately approach the court and vacate an order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government.
The directive follows a court order obtained by the anti-graft agency on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, which restricted access to the state’s financial assets.
In a statement personally signed by the President from the Aso Rock Villa on Thursday, Tinubu expressed deep embarrassment over the timing of the EFCC’s action, noting that it comes just days before the Osun State gubernatorial election.
“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,” the President stated.
While reiterating his commitment to the independence of anti-corruption agencies, President Tinubu explained that federal institutional actions are often credited to his office, even without his prior knowledge.
He maintained that his intervention was driven by overriding public interest to preserve the integrity and fairness of the democratic process.
“I have consistently maintained that anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies must be allowed to discharge their statutory responsibilities independently,” Tinubu said, adding that he has deliberately refrained from interfering in EFCC operations since assuming office.
However, considering the looming election, the President noted that the timing of the freeze was “inauspicious” and risked creating a false impression of political interference.
Consequently, the EFCC is expected to discontinue its current legal action against the Osun State Government and lift the restrictions on the state’s accounts immediately to ensure public confidence ahead of the polls.
