ABUJA, Aug. 6, 2026 — President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately return to court and vacate the order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government, saying the timing of the action could undermine public confidence in the forthcoming governorship election in the state.
In a statement personally signed on Thursday from the State House, Abuja, the President said he became aware that the EFCC had secured a court order on August 5, 2026, freezing the state’s accounts.
While stressing that he was not opposed to the anti-graft agency carrying out its statutory responsibilities, Tinubu expressed deep embarrassment over the timing of the action, noting that decisions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to the Presidency, whether or not he had prior knowledge of them.
The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the independence of anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies, emphasizing that since assuming office, he had deliberately refrained from interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC and other investigative bodies.
According to him, strong democratic institutions must be allowed to function professionally, independently and within the confines of the law without fear, favour or political interference.
Tinubu said that although he had yet to receive full details of the circumstances that informed the EFCC’s decision to obtain the court order, he considered the timing of the move “inauspicious,” particularly as Osun State is only days away from its governorship election.
He warned that no action should create the impression that any federal agency was being deployed to influence or interfere with the democratic process.
The President said preserving public confidence in the integrity, credibility and fairness of elections was of overriding national interest.
“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 stated.
Consequently, Tinubu directed the EFCC to immediately approach the court to vacate the freezing order and discontinue all legal actions it had initiated against the Osun State Government in connection with the matter.
The directive is expected to ease concerns over the potential impact of the account freeze on governance and electoral preparations in Osun State as political activities intensify ahead of the poll.
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