President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately unfreeze the Osun State Government account, saying he is deeply embarrassed by the agency’s action.
The President issued the directive on Thursday after concerns grew over the timing of the restriction on the state’s accounts ahead of the forthcoming Osun governorship election. He stressed that no federal agency should create the impression that it is interfering in Nigeria’s democratic process.
Speaking through a personally signed statement, Tinubu said the development had caused him serious concern. He explained that the action of the EFCC had raised questions about the neutrality of federal institutions during an important election period.
The President directed the anti-graft agency to approach the court without delay. He also instructed the commission to vacate the order freezing the Osun State Government account and discontinue every legal action it had initiated against the state government.
Tinubu said he felt personally embarrassed because the restriction created the wrong public perception. He maintained that the Federal Government must never appear to use its agencies to influence the outcome of any election, regardless of the circumstances.
According to the President, the timing of the account restriction made the situation even more sensitive. He insisted that democratic institutions must operate fairly and transparently, especially during an election season when public confidence is critical.
The directive marks a significant shift in the Federal Government’s position on the matter. It also places the EFCC under public scrutiny as questions continue to emerge about the basis for the account restriction and the legal process that supported it.
Political observers have described the President’s intervention as an important step toward easing public concerns. However, opposition parties continue to demand greater transparency regarding the circumstances that led to the freezing of the Osun State Government account.
The controversy has also sparked debate over the operational independence of the EFCC. Critics argue that the President’s directive demonstrates the influence of the Presidency over the commission, while supporters believe the intervention was necessary to protect public confidence in the electoral process.
As reactions continue across the political landscape, Tinubu Orders EFCC to Unfreeze Osun Government Account remains one of the biggest political stories in Nigeria. Many Nigerians now await the EFCC’s next move and the court proceedings that will determine the final resolution of the dispute.
