LAGOS, Nigeria — African Democratic Congress presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, condemned the freezing of the Osun State Government statutory allocation account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on Thursday, August 6, 2026, days before the state’s governorship election.
Golden Info reports that Atiku Abubakar released a statement through his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, in Abuja, questioning the neutrality of institutions entrusted with upholding the rule of law.
“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.
The former Vice President of Nigeria cautioned anti-corruption agencies against conduct that creates the perception they are being deployed to influence political outcomes.
“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 said.
Atiku linked the development to a pattern under the administration of President Bola Tinubu where opposition-controlled states are targeted by coercive federal actions, referencing the prior withholding of statutory local government allocations in the state.
“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. 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 said.
Atiku concluded the statement by urging opposition parties to resist the current political trajectory.
“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. 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.