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Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s decision to freeze the official Osun State Government bank account.
In a statement posted on his X account on Thursday, Makinde described the action as an abuse of national institutions and warned that it could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
He argued that while no government should be exempt from scrutiny, anti-corruption agencies must operate impartially and within the confines of the law.
“As I said in my last newsletter, no government is above scrutiny but when institutions like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are utilised to witch-hunt specific states or public office holders, it indicates that their investigations are selective and erodes public trust in these institutions.”
Makinde specifically faulted the anti-graft agency’s action against the Osun State Government, arguing that it exceeded the commission’s legal authority.
“The ‘freezing’ of an official state government account without due legal process goes beyond the powers vested in the EFCC by the laws of our land,” he said.
He further questioned the timing of the move, suggesting it was politically motivated ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State.
“And the timing of the action suggests that this is just another attempt by the federal government to unduly influence the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State,” the governor added.
“Federal institutions must remain faithful to their constitutional mandate by acting with fairness, professionalism and political neutrality at all times.”
Calling for broader vigilance, the Oyo governor appealed to citizens, civil society groups and the international community to closely monitor developments.
“We therefore call on all Nigerians, civil society organisations and the international community to remain vigilant. Democracy cannot thrive where our institutions are perceived as instruments of political intimidation.”
He concluded by stressing that preserving the credibility of public institutions was essential to Nigeria’s democratic future.
“Protecting the independence and credibility of our institutions is essential to preserving public trust and safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy. The rule of law must prevail over the rule of politics.”
Makinde’s comments come a day after the EFCC publicly defended its decision to place a restriction on an Osun State Government account as part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged fraudulent handling of state funds.
According to the commission, the investigation began in March 2026 and centres on allegations of financial misconduct involving the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The EFCC maintained that the restriction was a preventive investigative measure, not a criminal conviction or political sanction, and insisted it was acting within its statutory mandate.
The commission also rejected allegations that the action was designed to influence the forthcoming Osun governorship election, saying its investigation predated the election period and was driven solely by evidence gathered during its probe.
However, the Osun State Government has accused the EFCC of acting unlawfully by restricting an official government account without obtaining the necessary court order.
The state argued that the move disrupted governance and salary payments, describing it as politically motivated and intended to weaken the administration ahead of the election.
The increasing use of federal institutions to disrupt governance in opposition states in Nigeria is condemnable. As I said in my last newsletter, no government is above scrutiny but when institutions like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are utilised to witch… pic.twitter.com/2pK84zPfO9
— Seyi Makinde (@seyimakinde) August 6, 2026
