President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately approach the court to vacate an order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government.

The President said the timing of the action was inappropriate and capable of creating the impression of federal interference in the state's forthcoming governorship election.

The President gave the directive in a personally signed State House statement issued from Aso Rock Villa, Abuja, on Thursday.

According to the statement shared by Bayo Onanuga, the EFCC obtained a court order on August 5, 2026, freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government.

While acknowledging that the anti-graft agency acted within its statutory mandate and on the strength of a court order, Tinubu expressed concern over the timing of the action.

He noted that decisions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to the President, whether or not he had prior knowledge of them.

Tinubu reiterated his administration's commitment to the independence of anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies, stressing that he has consistently refrained from interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC and other investigative or prosecutorial bodies since assuming office.

He said his position was based on the conviction that strong democratic institutions operating within the confines of the law are essential to good governance and the rule of law.

He added that institutions established by law should ordinarily be allowed to discharge their responsibilities without requiring prior presidential approval.

The President, however, stated that he was compelled to intervene because Osun State is only a few days away from its governorship election.

Although he said he had yet to be fully briefed on the facts that informed the EFCC's decision to obtain the court order, he maintained that the timing of the action was inauspicious.

According to the statement, Tinubu expressed concern that allowing the order to stand at this time could create the perception that the EFCC or another federal agency was being used to influence the electoral process in the state.

He said his directive was issued in the overriding public interest and aimed at preserving public confidence in the integrity, credibility and fairness of Nigeria's democratic process.

Consequently, the President directed the EFCC to immediately return to court to vacate the freezing order and discontinue whatever action it had instituted against the Osun State Government in relation to the matter.

The President reaffirming his commitment to protecting democratic institutions while ensuring that the conduct of federal agencies does not undermine public confidence in the nation's electoral process.