Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of using state institutions to target political opponents, describing the freezing of the Osun State Government’s statutory allocation account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) ahead of the governorship election as “a dangerous assault on democracy.”
In a statement posted on the official X account of his media aide, Paul Ibe, and signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku expressed what he described as grave concern over the EFCC’s decision to freeze the state’s allocation account just days before the election.
He argued that the action raises serious questions about the neutrality of institutions charged with upholding the rule of law and insisted that there could be no justification for such a move on the eve of a major election.
“The timing of this action is deeply troubling and capable of undermining public confidence in the credibility of the electoral process,” Atiku said.
“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.
“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.”
The former vice president maintained that Nigeria’s democracy depends not only on free and fair elections but also on public confidence that institutions of government act independently and without political interference.
“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 said.
Atiku further alleged that the development reflects a broader pattern under the Tinubu administration, accusing the federal government of using anti-corruption agencies against opposition-controlled states rather than fighting corruption.
“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. 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.”
Declaring that “Tinubu is waging a war against the opposition, not corruption,” Atiku called on the EFCC to immediately reverse its decision to freeze the Osun State Government’s statutory allocation account.
“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 stated.
He also urged all institutions involved in the conduct of the Osun governorship election to exercise restraint and impartiality.
“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,” Atiku added.
Boluwatife Enome
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