President Bola Tinubu has ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to reverse the freeze on the Osun State Government’s account.
President Tinubu expressed disappointment over the EFCC’s action, particularly its timing, given the imminent gubernatorial election in the state on August 15, 2026.
“I feel deeply embarrassed not by the EFCC’s exercise of its mandate backed by a court order, but by the timing of the agency’s action. This is so because every action taken by an institution of State, especially at the Federal level, is always credited to me, as the President, even when I may not have had any prior knowledge of the action,” a statement from the State House said.
The President disclosed that since assuming office, he has consistently maintained that anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies must be allowed to discharge their statutory responsibilities independently and professionally, without fear, favour, or political interference.
He stressed that he has deliberately refrained from directing or interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC or any other investigative or prosecutorial agency because he believes that strong democratic institutions, operating within the confines of the law, are indispensable to democratic governance and the rule of law.
Tinubu reiterated his commitment to allowing institutions of State to function and take any action they consider necessary in the interest of good governance without the need for any prior approval.
“Indeed, that is why institutions are set up by law with clearly defined powers. While I am yet to be fully apprised of the facts which informed the action of EFCC in approaching the court to obtain the said order freezing the Osun State Government account, I am not in the slightest doubt that the timing of the action of EFCC is inauspicious, and therefore I feel compelled to intervene,” he said.
He affirmed that Osun State is only a few days away from its gubernatorial election, arguing that nothing ought to be done to give the impression that the EFCC or any other agency of the Federal Government is being used to interfere with the election.
The President explained that, based on the foregoing, he was duty-bound to issue a directive on the matter in the overriding public interest to preserve public confidence in the integrity, credibility, and fairness of Nigeria’s democratic process.
“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,” he confirmed.
