Atiku Condemns EFCC’s Freeze On Osun Account, Calls It Assault On Democracy

Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress, has condemned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s decision to freeze the Osun State Government’s statutory allocation account, describing it as a dangerous threat to democratic governance.

The former vice president said the anti-graft agency’s action, coming just days before the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, raises questions about the impartiality of institutions charged with safeguarding the rule of law and ensuring credible elections.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the timing of the restriction could undermine public confidence in the integrity of the forthcoming 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,” Atiku said.

He acknowledged the constitutional responsibility of anti-corruption agencies to investigate allegations of financial misconduct but stressed that such powers must be exercised in line with due process and without creating the impression of political bias.

“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.

Atiku further alleged that federal institutions are increasingly being used selectively against states governed by opposition parties.

He argued that the latest development, following what he described as the prolonged withholding of Osun State’s local government allocations, reinforces concerns that public institutions are being used for political ends instead of serving the broader public interest.

“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,” he added.

The ADC presidential candidate urged the EFCC to immediately remove the restriction on the state’s allocation account, warning that the consequences would be felt more by ordinary citizens than political office holders.

“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 argued.

He also called on all institutions involved in the conduct of the August 15 governorship election to remain neutral and protect the integrity of the electoral process.

“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 said.

The statement follows growing controversy over the EFCC’s decision to impose a “Post No Debit” restriction on one of the Osun State Government’s accounts.

The commission has maintained that the restriction is tied to an ongoing investigation into the alleged diversion of about N11 billion in public funds and has insisted that the action is not connected to the August 15 governorship election.