Arise Television anchor, Rufai Oseni, has criticised the timing of the decision to unfreeze the Osun State Government’s account, arguing that the controversy had already created a damaging public perception against the state.
Speaking on The Morning Show programme on Friday, Oseni said the initial action had generated a narrative linking the Osun State Government with corruption allegations, adding that reversing the decision would not completely erase the reputational impact.
According to the broadcaster, the controversy had already influenced public perception, regardless of whether the account freeze was later reversed by the Federal Government or relevant authorities.
Oseni argued that institutions must consider the wider implications of such actions, stressing that the damage caused by public allegations often remains even after corrective steps are taken.
“I was telling Wilson Uwujaren yesterday that EFCC have already achieved the aim. Even if the president reverses this, they’ve already achieved the aim,” Oseni said.
He likened the situation to the controversy surrounding former FBI Director James Comey’s handling of the investigation into Hillary Clinton ahead of the 2016 United States presidential election, saying public perception had already been shaped before subsequent developments.
The television host further stated that online discussions and search results connecting Osun State with terms such as “frozen account” and “corruption allegations” demonstrated that the narrative had already gained public attention.
Oseni maintained that the reversal of the decision came after the allegations had already affected the image of the state government, raising concerns about the broader impact of institutional actions on public reputation.
