Former Vice President and presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration of using federal institutions to intimidate and undermine opposition-controlled states.
Atiku’s allegation followed reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) froze the Osun State Government’s statutory allocation account, a development that has generated political controversy ahead of the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.
The former vice president described the action as “a dangerous assault on democracy” and called on the anti-corruption agency to immediately reverse the restriction placed on the account.
He also warned that the development could have serious implications for governance in the state and potentially undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku questioned the timing of the EFCC’s action and expressed concern over what he described as the growing involvement of state institutions in political matters.
According to him, the freezing of the state’s principal operational account shortly before an election could disrupt the activities of the Osun State Government and place unnecessary pressure on residents.
“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 questions EFCC action
Atiku argued that while anti-corruption agencies have a legitimate responsibility to investigate allegations of financial misconduct, such investigations must be conducted within the framework of the law and without creating the perception of political interference.
He maintained that where there are genuine concerns about the management of public funds, the appropriate authorities should follow established legal procedures rather than take actions that could negatively affect an entire state.
“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.
The ADC presidential candidate further argued that the credibility of Nigeria’s democratic system depends not only on the conduct of elections but also on citizens’ confidence that government institutions are operating independently.
He warned that the selective or politically perceived use of federal agencies could erode public trust and weaken democratic institutions.
“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,” Atiku said.
Opposition states allegedly targeted
The former vice president also alleged that the development in Osun was part of a broader pattern under the Tinubu administration in which opposition-controlled states were allegedly subjected to pressure from federal authorities.
He specifically referenced what he described as the prolonged denial of statutory allocations meant for local governments in Osun State, arguing that the latest EFCC action had reinforced concerns about the alleged politicisation of federal institutions.
“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.
According to Atiku, the combination of the alleged withholding of local government allocations and the reported freezing of the state government’s account could create significant financial difficulties for the state administration.
He argued that such actions could ultimately affect ordinary residents rather than political office holders alone.
‘Osun residents will bear the consequences’
Atiku maintained that the consequences of freezing the state’s allocation account would extend beyond the government and could affect workers, contractors, businesses and residents who depend on government-funded services.
“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.
He stressed that the EFCC’s anti-corruption mandate should not be transformed into a tool for political intimidation or used to disadvantage elected governments controlled by opposition parties.
“The anti-corruption mandate of the EFCC must never be distorted into a political weapon against opposition governments,” he added.
Call for credible Osun election
The former vice president also appealed to all institutions involved in the conduct and monitoring of the Osun governorship election to remain neutral and ensure that voters are allowed to freely determine the outcome of the poll.
He said the people of Osun State should be the sole arbiters of the election and urged government institutions to avoid actions capable of casting doubt on the credibility of the electoral process.
“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 stated.
He further accused President Tinubu of being determined to secure electoral victories at all costs, warning that democracy could not thrive where government institutions were allegedly deployed against political opponents.
“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 said.
Political tensions rise
Atiku subsequently called on opposition parties, civil society organisations and other Nigerians committed to constitutional democracy to unite against what he described as a dangerous trend.
He urged stakeholders to defend the independence of public institutions and ensure that anti-corruption agencies carry out their responsibilities without political influence.
The controversy surrounding the Osun account comes at a politically sensitive period, with the forthcoming governorship election expected to attract intense competition among the major political parties.
While Atiku has condemned the EFCC’s reported action and demanded that the restriction on the account be lifted, the development has also renewed debate over the balance between anti-corruption investigations and the need to protect the financial autonomy of elected state governments.
The EFCC has previously maintained that its actions are guided by its statutory responsibilities and investigations rather than political considerations. The agency’s position on the specific allegations raised by Atiku will therefore be closely watched as the controversy continues.
As political activities intensify ahead of the Osun governorship election, attention will remain focused on the handling of the state’s finances, the conduct of federal institutions and the ability of all stakeholders to ensure a credible and peaceful electoral process.