Osun Account Freeze: Tinubu Govt Weaponising State Institutions Against Opposition — Atiku
Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the freezing of the Osun State Government’s statutory allocation account, describing the action as a “dangerous assault” on democracy.
Atiku, in a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, expressed concern over the timing of the EFCC’s action, coming days before the Osun State governorship election.
He questioned the neutrality of state institutions responsible for upholding the rule of law, alleging that the development reflected a broader pattern in which opposition-controlled states were being subjected to coercive actions by the Federal Government.
According to him, the latest development, coming after what he described as the prolonged denial of Osun State’s statutory allocations to local governments, had heightened concerns about the alleged politicisation of public institutions.
“Coming after the prolonged denial of Osun State’s statutory local government allocations, this latest action reinforces the disturbing impression that public institutions are being weaponised to punish political opponents rather than serve the Nigerian people,” Atiku said.
The former vice president said the timing of the account freeze was particularly troubling because of its potential impact on governance and the electoral environment.
He warned that restricting access to the state’s principal operational account could affect the payment of salaries, delivery of essential public services and the overall functioning of government.
“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.
Atiku acknowledged that anti-corruption agencies had a legitimate responsibility to investigate suspected financial misconduct but insisted that such investigations must be conducted within the framework of due process.
“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 said.
He argued that the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy depended not only on the conduct of free and fair elections but also on public confidence in the independence and professionalism of state institutions.
“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 said.
He consequently called on the EFCC to immediately lift the restriction on the Osun State Government’s statutory allocation account.
Atiku said the consequences of the action could extend beyond the state government to residents of Osun State, particularly if it affected salaries and the delivery of essential public services.
“The anti-corruption mandate of the EFCC must never be distorted into a political weapon against opposition governments,” he said.
The ADC presidential candidate also urged all institutions involved in the conduct of the Osun governorship election to exercise restraint, impartiality and strict adherence to the Constitution.
He maintained that the people of Osun State should be allowed to freely determine the outcome of the election without actions by government institutions casting doubt on the credibility of the process.
Atiku further alleged that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was determined to secure electoral victories “at all costs,” arguing that such an approach would undermine democratic governance.
“Democracy cannot coexist with the systematic weaponisation of state institutions against political opponents,” he said.
He consequently called on opposition parties and Nigerians committed to constitutional democracy to unite against what he described as a dangerous drift.
The EFCC’s action and Atiku’s allegations come amid heightened political activity ahead of the Osun governorship election.
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