Osun Residents React as Tinubu Orders EFCC To Unfreeze State Account

 

OSOGBO, Nigeria – Residents of Osun State have expressed divergent views following President Bola Tinubu's directive to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to vacate the court order freezing one of the state's bank accounts ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The EFCC had placed restrictions on the account as part of an investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving about ₦11 billion in Ecology Funds, Intervention Funds and Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations.

In a statement issued on Thursday, President Tinubu said he was "deeply embarrassed" by the timing of the action, noting that anti-corruption agencies must carry out their duties without creating the impression of political interference in the electoral process.

The President subsequently directed the EFCC to return to court and discontinue the action against the Osun State Government, emphasizing the need for a free, fair and credible governorship election.

The development sparked reactions among residents, with many expressing concern over the possible impact of the account restriction on salary payments, public services and other government obligations.

A trader, Tajudeen Babatunde, described the move as untimely and warned that it could affect public confidence in the electoral process, despite welcoming the President's intervention.

Similarly, civil servant Tayo Adeyinka criticized the action, arguing that freezing a government account so close to the election could negatively affect workers and ordinary residents.

Some residents alleged that the move was politically motivated, while others commended Tinubu for stepping in to address the situation before it escalated further.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Government has filed a suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking ₦2 billion in damages against the EFCC over the account restriction.

The anti-graft agency, however, maintained that only one statutory account was affected and insisted that the action was necessary to prevent the alleged diversion of public funds.

With just days to the governorship election, attention is now focused on whether the EFCC will comply with the presidential directive and how the development could shape the political atmosphere in the state.