Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress ADC, Atiku Abubakar, has described the freezing of Osun State Government’s statutory allocation account by the EFCC as a dangerous assault on democracy. He recently had his say via a press statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, in Abuja.
According to him, the commission’s action raises serious questions about the neutrality of institutions entrusted with upholding the rule of law.
He concluded by insisting that there could be no justification for EFCC’s action on the eve of a critical election.
His words, “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 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 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.
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.
Coming after the prolonged denial 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.
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 anti-corruption mandate of the EFCC must never be distorted into a political weapon against opposition governments.
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.”
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