President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately return to court and vacate an order freezing the Osun State Government's bank accounts, citing concerns that the timing of the move could undermine confidence in the state's upcoming governorship election.
The EFCC had obtained the freeze order on August 5, 2026, targeting the state government's account. The action quickly drew backlash, with critics, particularly from the opposition, alleging it was designed to disrupt Governor Ademola Adeleke's re-election bid, as Osun State heads to the polls in just a matter of days.
In a personally signed statement, President Tinubu said he was not troubled by the EFCC exercising its lawful mandate, but rather by how the timing of the action would inevitably be read by the public. He noted that actions taken by federal institutions are almost always attributed to him as President, even when he has no advance knowledge of them.
The President reaffirmed his long standing commitment to keeping anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies independent, stressing that since taking office he has deliberately avoided directing or interfering in the EFCC's operational activities. He said this hands off approach reflects his belief that strong, independent institutions operating within the law are essential to democratic governance.
Even so, Tinubu said he felt compelled to step in given the unique circumstances. With Osun State's gubernatorial election only days away, he warned that nothing should be done to create the appearance that the EFCC, or any other federal agency, was being used to influence the outcome.
"I am duty-bound to issue a directive on this issue in consonance with the overriding public interest in preserving public confidence and the integrity, credibility, and fairness of our democratic process," the President said.
He has now formally directed the EFCC to go back to court, vacate the freeze order, and discontinue any further action against the Osun State Government in connection with the matter.
The intervention comes after Governor Adeleke reportedly appealed directly to the President to step in. The episode is likely to reignite debate over how anti-corruption enforcement is timed relative to elections, and where the line falls between institutional independence and the appearance of political interference.