President Bola Tinubu spoke with Osun Governor Ademola Adeleke shortly after directing the EFCC to lift its order freezing the state government’s account.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has spoken with Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke shortly after directing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to lift the order freezing the state government’s account.
The phone conversation took place on Thursday following Tinubu’s intervention in the dispute over the EFCC’s action.
Tinubu Informs Adeleke of Directive
The President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed the telephone conversation.
According to the report, Tinubu informed Adeleke during the call that he had directed the EFCC to lift the order affecting the Osun State Government account.
The development came amid heightened political tension ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Account Freeze Triggered Dispute
The EFCC’s action had prompted strong reactions from the Osun Government, which questioned the circumstances surrounding the freezing of its account.
Governor Adeleke had demanded an explanation from the commission and challenged the legality of the action.
The EFCC subsequently maintained that its investigation involved suspected financial irregularities and suspicious movement of funds.
Election Adds Political Sensitivity
The timing of the account freeze made the issue particularly sensitive because Osun voters are due to elect their governor on August 15.
Tinubu’s intervention came against this backdrop, with the President saying the timing of the EFCC action could create doubts about the credibility of federal institutions during an electoral period.
The President has maintained that government agencies should be allowed to perform their duties independently, but also expressed concern about actions that could affect public confidence in the electoral process.