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Freezing of Osun State account is dangerous assault on democracy- Atiku

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3 weeks ago

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…Says EFCC’s action against Osun govt undermines electoral credibility

Former Vice President of Nigeria and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has expressed grave concern over the freezing of the Osun State Government’s statutory allocation account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) just days before the state’s governorship election.

The ADC presidential candidate described the action as a dangerous assault on democracy, saying it raises serious questions about the neutrality of institutions entrusted with upholding the rule of law. He insisted that there can be no justification for such a move on the eve of a critical election.

In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku said the timing of the action is deeply troubling and capable of undermining public confidence in the credibility of the electoral process.

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“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 the delivery of essential public services, and create an atmosphere of intimidation that has no place in a democratic society.

“If there are legitimate concerns requiring investigation, the law provides for 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.”

Atiku said Nigeria’s democracy depends not only on free and fair elections but also on public confidence that state institutions act independently, professionally, and without political interference.

“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.
“It is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore a pattern under the Tinubu administration in which opposition-controlled states appear to be the consistent targets of coercive federal actions. Coming after the prolonged withholding 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.”

Atiku called on the EFCC to immediately reverse the freezing of the Osun State Government’s statutory allocation account.

“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 EFCC’s anti-corruption mandate must never be distorted into a political weapon against opposition governments.” He also urged all institutions involved in the conduct of the Osun governorship election to act with restraint, impartiality, and fidelity to the Constitution.

“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.

“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.” (Guardian)

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