Former Vice President and African Democratic Congress (ADC) presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission's (EFCC) decision to freeze the Osun State Government's statutory allocation account, describing the move as an attack on democracy and the rule of law.
Atiku said the action, coming barely days before the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, raises concerns about the impartiality of institutions charged with enforcing the law and safeguarding Nigeria's democratic process.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president said the timing of the account freeze was disturbing and could undermine public confidence in the credibility of the election.
According to him, freezing the state's main operational account on the eve of the poll could disrupt governance, delay salary payments, hinder the delivery of essential public services and create an atmosphere of intimidation.
"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 maintained that where there were genuine allegations of financial misconduct, the law already provided established procedures for investigation and prosecution, warning that anti-corruption agencies must avoid actions capable of creating the perception 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.
He argued that the credibility of Nigeria's democracy depends not only on transparent elections but also on the independence and professionalism of public institutions.
According to him, the selective deployment of state institutions for political purposes weakens democratic governance and erodes public trust.
"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.
The former vice president further alleged that the account freeze reflected what he described as a broader pattern of actions against opposition-controlled states under the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He recalled the controversy over the withholding of Osun State's statutory local government allocations, saying the latest development reinforced concerns that federal institutions were being used to target political opponents.
"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 said.
Atiku argued that the restriction on the state's allocation account would ultimately affect ordinary residents rather than political officeholders.
"Freezing the state 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 added.
He called on all agencies involved in the conduct of the Osun governorship election to remain impartial and uphold the Constitution, stressing that only the electorate should determine who governs the state.
Atiku also urged opposition parties and Nigerians committed to democratic principles to resist what he described as the weaponisation of state institutions.
"President Bola 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. I therefore call on all opposition parties and every Nigerian committed to constitutional democracy to close ranks and resist this dangerous drift before it is too late," he said.
Leave a Reply