Ondo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Dr Kayode Ajulo, on Thursday commended President Bola Tinubu for directing the unblocking of Osun State Government bank account, frozen on Wednesday by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
Also, he suggested strong institutions as one of the ways to sustain the present democracy in Nigeria.
The anti graft agency had, ten days to the August 15 governorship election in the state, frozen the account over its investigation of an alleged looting of N11 billion through suspicious withdrawals, a claim the state government had debunked.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Accord Party is seeking reelection through the poll. Mr Bola Oyebamiji of the President’s party the All Progressives Congress, is also a major contender in the election.
For ordering unblocking of the account, Ajulo commended the President for not turning the situation in the state to his political advantage.
In a statement, he said President Tinubu exercised restraint in the use of enormous power at his disposal. Rather, he behaved like a statesman by unfreezing the account of the Osun State government.
Ajulo said the true measure of leadership is not found in the exercise of power, but in the wisdom to restrain it, as President Tinubu did.
He said, “This directive reflects a profound appreciation of a constitutional democracy: that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done, especially on the eve of an electoral contest.
“By placing the integrity of the democratic process above every conceivable political advantage, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed that the legitimacy of government rests not merely on authority, but on public confidence in the fairness of State institutions.
“Strong institutions are the pillars of democracy, but equally indispensable is discerning leadership that ensures their lawful exercise of power does not, however unintentionally, cast a shadow over the people’s sovereign will.
“History has often remembered those who chose constitutional prudence over partisan expediency. This intervention is a salutary reminder that the rule of law and democratic legitimacy are not competing ideals; they are complementary obligations of statesmanship.
“May this serve as yet another affirmation that Nigeria’s democracy must always be protected by justice, fairness, and fidelity to constitutional governance.”
