By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has called on Governor Ademola Adeleke to tender a public apology to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, over what it described as “unfounded allegations” linking them to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) freezing of the Osun State Government’s bank accounts.
Governor Adeleke had, during a campaign rally in Osogbo, publicly accused President Tinubu and Oyetola of masterminding the freezing of the state’s bank accounts, describing the action as political witch-hunting aimed at undermining his administration ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The APC, however, said Governor Adeleke and his political associates acted hastily by accusing President Tinubu, Oyetola and the party of orchestrating the anti-graft agency’s action without any credible evidence.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the party’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the APC described the governor as “confused and frustrated,” insisting that he and his political allies owed the President and Oyetola an unreserved apology.
According to Olabisi, President Tinubu’s recent directive concerning the EFCC’s action did not amount to an exoneration of the Osun State Government from the allegations being investigated by the anti-corruption agency.
He explained that the President’s intervention was informed solely by concerns over the timing of the EFCC’s action, noting that it could easily be interpreted as politically motivated given the proximity of the August 15 governorship election in the state.
“It should be noted that President Tinubu did not absolve the Osun State Government of the allegations being investigated by the EFCC. Rather, the President frowned at the timing of the action to avoid political interpretations during the election period,” the statement read.
The APC maintained that the development should serve as a lesson to Governor Adeleke and the Accord Party on the need for restraint, political maturity and careful consideration before making weighty public allegations against individuals and institutions.
The party further urged the governor to desist from what it described as persistent attacks and baseless accusations against President Tinubu, Oyetola and other APC leaders in the state.
Olabisi said the President’s directive to the EFCC to vacate the court order freezing the state’s accounts pending the election demonstrated statesmanship and reaffirmed his commitment to fairness and national unity.
He described President Tinubu as “a true father of the nation” who acted in the interest of democracy by ensuring that political sentiments were not attached to the EFCC’s action.
The APC also called on Governor Adeleke to reciprocate the President’s gesture by withdrawing what it termed politically motivated charges against the newly inaugurated executives of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW).
“It is hoped that Governor Adeleke will learn from President Tinubu’s large-heartedness by dropping the charges against the newly sworn-in NURTW executives. After all, one good turn deserves another,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the EFCC to immediately return to court to vacate the order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government, saying the timing of the action, coming barely days before the August 15 governorship election, could undermine public confidence in the credibility of the electoral process.
In a State House statement issued on Thursday, the President disclosed that he became aware that the EFCC had secured a court order on August 5, 2026, freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government.
While stressing that he respects the statutory independence of the anti-graft agency, Tinubu said he was “deeply embarrassed” by the timing of the action because Nigerians often attribute every action of federal institutions to the Presidency.
According to the President, although he had no prior knowledge of the EFCC’s move, he considered it necessary to intervene in the overriding public interest to ensure that no action by any federal institution creates the impression that the Federal Government was interfering with the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.
Tinubu reiterated that since assuming office, he has consistently maintained a policy of non-interference in the operational activities of anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies, insisting that institutions of government must be allowed to perform their constitutional and statutory responsibilities independently, professionally and without fear or favour.
He explained that his administration believes strong democratic institutions operating within the confines of the law are fundamental to democratic governance and the rule of law, adding that he has deliberately refrained from directing or influencing the operations of the EFCC and other investigative agencies.
The President noted that although he was yet to receive a comprehensive briefing on the facts that prompted the EFCC to obtain the court order, the proximity of the action to the August 15 governorship election in Osun State made the timing inappropriate.
According to him, “Osun State is only a few days away from its governorship election. Therefore, nothing ought to be done to give the impression that the EFCC or indeed any other agency of the Federal Government is being used to interfere with the election.”
Tinubu said preserving public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic institutions and electoral process remains paramount, stressing that every institution of government must be mindful of the broader implications of its actions, particularly during sensitive political periods.
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Consequently, the President directed the EFCC to immediately approach the court to vacate the freezing order and discontinue all actions instituted against the Osun State Government in relation to the matter.
“Based on the foregoing premise, I am duty-bound to issue a directive on this issue in consonance with the overriding public interest in preserving public confidence and the integrity, credibility and fairness of our democratic process.
“Accordingly, I have directed the EFCC to immediately proceed to the court to vacate the order and discontinue whatever action it has instituted against the Osun State Government in this regard,” the President stated.
The development marks a significant twist in the controversy surrounding the freezing of the Osun State Government’s accounts, a move that had generated intense political reactions across the state.
Governor Adeleke had earlier condemned the action, describing it as unconstitutional and politically motivated, while filing a suit challenging the legality of the EFCC’s decision.
Several civil society organisations and political stakeholders also called for the immediate lifting of the restriction, arguing that it could disrupt governance and create an atmosphere of political tension ahead of the election.
President Tinubu’s intervention is expected to calm political tempers and reinforce assurances that federal institutions will remain neutral throughout the electoral process.
The August 15 Osun State governorship election is one of the most closely watched political contests in the country, with security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties and civil society organisations repeatedly pledging to ensure a peaceful, credible and transparent poll.
Osun account freeze: EFCC boss faces public fury, as Tinubu reverses order
