President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has intervened in the growing dispute over the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) seizure of Osun State government accounts, instructing the anti-graft agency to seek the dissolution of the related court order without delay.
The directive arrives amid mounting public backlash over the commission’s legal action, which was initiated just days before Osun State residents are set to cast ballots in their governorship election.
In a public communication released Thursday through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President expressed unease over the proximity of the freeze to the poll. He acknowledged that federal agencies’ moves are frequently perceived as stemming from his office, even in cases where he lacks prior awareness.
The presidency’s statement clarified that Mr. Tinubu takes no issue with the EFCC carrying out its legally sanctioned duties, which were supported by a judicial ruling, but rather with the moment chosen for such enforcement.
“Since assuming office, I have consistently maintained that anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies must be allowed to discharge their statutory responsibilities independently, professionally, without fear or favour, or political interference,” Tinubu said.
He further noted that he has deliberately avoided steering or meddling in the routine operations of the EFCC or allied investigative bodies, arguing that robust democratic institutions, operating strictly within legal boundaries, are foundational to sound governance and the supremacy of law.
The President underscored that all state organs are creations of statute, endowed with explicit authority, and must therefore be permitted to work without external pressure.
Although Mr. Tinubu conceded that he has not received a comprehensive briefing on the evidentiary basis that prompted the EFCC’s court application, he maintained that the temporal context renders the move unacceptable.
“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.
The President characterised his intervention as unavoidable, driven by a broader public necessity to uphold faith in the electoral system’s honesty, credibility, and impartiality.
“Accordingly, I have directed the EFCC to immediately proceed to the court to vacate the order and discontinue whatever action it has instituted against the Osun State Government in this regard,” Tinubu stated.
