EFCC freezing of Osun allocation account ‘dangerous assault on democracy’ – Atiku

Former Vice President and ADC Presidential Candidate Atiku Abubakar has condemned the freezing of Osun State Government’s statutory allocation account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission as a reckless assault on democracy, demanding its immediate reversal ahead of the state’s August 15 governorship election.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, and reported by Daily Trust, Atiku described the timing of the EFCC’s action as deeply troubling and a direct threat to electoral credibility.

“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.

Atiku dismissed any suggestion that legitimate anti-corruption concerns could justify the action at such a politically sensitive moment, insisting that due process exists precisely for such situations. “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 drew a pattern from the action, pointing to the earlier prolonged denial of Osun State’s local government statutory allocations. “It is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the pattern under the Tinubu administration, where opposition-controlled states appear to be the consistent targets of coercive federal actions,” he said.

Atiku called on all institutions involved in the Osun election to act with impartiality and constitutional fidelity, warning that democracy cannot coexist with the systematic weaponisation of state agencies against political opponents.

“The people of Osun State alone must determine the outcome of their election,” he declared, urging opposition parties and democracy-minded Nigerians to close ranks against what he described as a dangerous democratic drift.

The EFCC had not publicly responded to Atiku’s statement as of the time of this report.