The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) decision to restrict the Osun State Government’s statutory allocation account, describing it as a dangerous threat to democracy.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former Vice President said the timing of the EFCC’s action, coming just days before the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, raises serious concerns about the neutrality of institutions charged with protecting the rule of law and the integrity of the electoral process.
Atiku argued that restricting the state’s principal operational account on the eve of a major election could undermine public confidence in the credibility of the poll.
“It is impossible to ignore the implications of freezing a state’s principal operational account on the eve of a governorship election. Such an action could disrupt governance, delay salary payments, impede essential public services and create an atmosphere of intimidation that has no place in a democratic society,” he said.
While acknowledging the constitutional mandate of anti-corruption agencies to investigate allegations of financial misconduct, Atiku insisted that such investigations must follow due process and should not create the perception of political interference.
“If there are legitimate concerns requiring investigation, the law provides due process. Anti-corruption agencies must not conduct themselves in a manner that creates the perception that they are being deployed to influence political outcomes or weaken elected governments at critical electoral moments,” he stated.
The ADC presidential candidate also alleged a growing pattern of selective use of federal institutions against states governed by opposition parties.
According to him, the restriction on the Osun account, coming after what he described as the prolonged withholding of the state’s local government allocations, reinforces public concerns that government institutions are being used for political purposes.
“The selective and politically convenient deployment of state institutions diminishes public trust and weakens the democratic order. Institutions established to enforce the law must never become instruments for creating fear or conferring political advantage,” Atiku added.
He called on the EFCC to immediately remove the restriction on the state’s allocation account, warning that ordinary residents, rather than political office holders, would bear the consequences of the decision.
“Freezing the state’s allocation account is not merely an attack on the Osun State Government; it is a direct assault on the people of Osun State, whose salaries, essential public services and daily governance stand to suffer. The anti-corruption mandate of the EFCC must never be distorted into a political weapon against opposition governments,” he said.
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Atiku also urged all institutions involved in the conduct of the August 15 governorship election to remain impartial and ensure that the will of the electorate is respected.
“The people of Osun State alone must determine the outcome of their election. No external force or institution of government should, by action or omission, cast a shadow over the credibility of that democratic choice,” he added.
The statement comes amid growing controversy over the EFCC’s decision to place a “Post No Debit” restriction on an Osun State Government account as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged diversion of about ₦11 billion in Ecology Funds, Intervention Funds and Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations.
The anti-graft agency has maintained that the restriction is part of its statutory investigation and is unrelated to the forthcoming governorship election.
However, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has argued that the affected account is used to pay workers’ salaries and accused the EFCC of attempting to cripple the operations of the state government ahead of the election.
The development has heightened political tensions in the state, with opposition figures questioning the timing of the EFCC’s action, while the commission insists it is acting strictly within the powers granted to it by law.
