Nigeria’s former Vice President, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, has described the freezing of Osun State Government’s statutory allocation account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as a dangerous assault on democracy.
Atiku who is the ADC presidential hopeful also warned that public institutions must not be turned into political weapons against opposition parties.
Diaspora Digital Media reported that the anti-graft agency on Wednesday directed First Bank to place a post-no-debit restriction on the Osun state government’s statutory allocation account as part of an ongoing investigation, days before the August 15 governorship election.
While reacting in a statement issued by his spokesman, Phrank Shaibu on Thursday, Atiku described the timing of the action as deeply troubling.
“It is impossible to ignore the implications of freezing a state’s principal operational account on the eve of a governorship election,” he said.
“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 added that while allegations of wrongdoing should be investigated, anti-corruption agencies must follow due process and avoid actions capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process.
“If there are legitimate concerns requiring investigation, the law provides due process,” he said.
“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 alleged that the action reinforced concerns that federal institutions were being used against opposition-controlled states.
“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.
“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.”
He called on the EFCC to immediately reverse the action.
“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,” he said.
“The anti-corruption mandate of the EFCC must never be distorted into a political weapon against opposition governments.”
Atiku urged institutions involved in the conduct of the Osun governorship election to act with restraint, impartiality and fidelity to the constitution.
“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.
He also accused President Bola Tinubu of prioritising political victory over democratic principles.
“President Tinubu is leaving no one in doubt that he is determined to win elections at all costs. Democracy cannot coexist with the systematic weaponisation of state institutions against political opponents,” he added.
Atiku called on opposition parties and Nigerians committed to constitutional democracy to unite in resisting what he described as “this dangerous drift” against democratic governance.
