EFCC Account Freeze: ‘Has Tinubu Lost Control Of His Appointees?’ – Reps Minority

The Minority Caucus of the House of Representatives has questioned President Bola Tinubu’s control over the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission following the controversy surrounding the freezing of the Osun State Government’s account.

The lawmakers described the President’s directive to the anti-graft agency to vacate the freezing order as a “panicky and belated afterthought,” arguing that the development had exposed contradictions within the Federal Government.

The caucus made its position known in a statement jointly signed by the Minority Leader, Fredrick Agbedi, and the spokesman, Afam Ogene, and made available to journalists in Abuja on Friday.

The lawmakers said the President’s intervention appeared to have followed widespread criticism of the EFCC’s decision to freeze the state government’s accounts.

The minority caucus focused particularly on what it described as conflicting statements by the EFCC and the Presidency regarding whether a valid court order existed authorising the freezing of the accounts.

The lawmakers alleged that the EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, had stated during a national television interview that the accounts were frozen “without a valid court order.”

They, however, noted that the President later directed the commission to approach the court to vacate the order.

“So, which is it? Was there a court order or not?” the lawmakers asked.

They also questioned whether President Tinubu was fully aware of the actions and public statements of officials appointed by his administration.

“Is the President not aware of what his own appointees are saying and doing? Has the President lost control to his army of sycophants who behave like lords over the people? Or are they simply trying to hide an illegality that has already been exposed?” the caucus asked.

The lawmakers further alleged that some senior presidential aides had initially circulated and defended the EFCC’s position on the account freeze before the President intervened.

They described the President’s subsequent position as an attempt to distance himself from the earlier actions.

“It is, therefore, insulting for the President to pretend ignorance… Nigerians are not fools,” the lawmakers said.

Caucus alleges pressure on Osun govt

The minority lawmakers linked the account-freezing controversy to what they described as a wider pattern of pressure being mounted on the Osun State Government ahead of the state’s governorship election.

They cited several developments which they claimed pointed to political interference in the affairs of the state.

Among them, they listed the alleged withholding of statutory allocations meant for Osun local governments, alleged violence involving members of the All Progressives Congress and suspected thugs, and the arrest and detention of the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaiye.

The caucus also criticised the conduct of the state Commissioner of Police, particularly over allegations that the Osun State Government was harbouring hoodlums at the Government House.

“This is not policing. It is partisan propaganda in uniform,” the lawmakers said.

The lawmakers accused the APC-led Federal Government of allegedly using federal institutions to put pressure on states controlled by opposition parties.

They argued that the developments in Osun could be a sign of what opposition parties should expect ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Describing the situation as a possible “dress rehearsal” for the 2027 elections, the caucus alleged that federal institutions were being used to pursue political interests.

“The mask is off. Nigerians can now see clearly that the APC has weaponised federal institutions against opposition states – a dress rehearsal of what is to come in the 2027 general elections,” it said.

The minority lawmakers maintained that the controversy surrounding the Osun accounts raised serious questions about the independence of federal anti-corruption agencies and the relationship between such institutions and the Presidency.

They called for greater transparency and accountability in the actions of government agencies, particularly where such actions affect elected state governments and public funds.