Osun Election: Reps minority caucus accuses Tinubu of using federal agencies to intimidate state

The House of Representatives Minority Caucus has accused President Bola Tinubu of attempting to use federal institutions to intimidate the Osun State Government ahead of next week’s governorship election.

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It described his directive to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to vacate the court order freezing the state’s bank accounts as a “panicky, belated afterthought.”

It alleged that the president’s intervention was prompted by widespread public criticism rather than a commitment to the rule of law, arguing that the directive exposed contradictions within the federal government and raised fresh questions about the legality of the anti-graft agency’s actions.

The position of the opposition lawmakers was contained in a statement jointly signed by the Minority Leader, Fredrick Agbedi, and the caucus spokesperson, Afam Ogene, on Friday.

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The statement comes amid heightened political tension in Osun State as preparations intensify for the governorship election scheduled for next week. The election is expected to be closely contested and has attracted significant attention following recent disputes involving security agencies, the EFCC and the state government.

The controversy began after the EFCC moved to freeze Osun State’s bank accounts as part of an investigation, a development that sparked criticism from opposition politicians and the state government, which described the action as politically motivated.

Mr Tinubu subsequently directed the anti-corruption agency to take immediate steps to vacate the court order freezing the accounts, saying democratic governance requires that elected governments continue to function without unnecessary disruption while investigations continue through lawful means.

However, the minority caucus argued that the president’s intervention only highlighted inconsistencies within his administration.

Contradictions over court order

According to the lawmakers, there were conflicting accounts from the EFCC and the Presidency regarding the legal basis for freezing the accounts.

They noted that while the EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, reportedly stated during a television interview that the accounts were frozen “without a valid court order,” the president’s directive later instructed the commission to approach the court to vacate the order.

The lawmakers questioned how both positions could be correct.

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

The caucus also questioned whether the President was fully aware of the actions and public statements of officials under 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 statement added.

The lawmakers further alleged that senior presidential aides were among the first to circulate and defend the EFCC’s initial statement supporting the freezing of the state’s accounts.

“It is, therefore, insulting for the president to pretend ignorance. Nigerians are not fools,” the caucus said.

Allegations of intimidation

Beyond the account-freezing controversy, the opposition lawmakers accused the federal government of pursuing what they described as a sustained campaign of intimidation against the Osun State Government ahead of the election.

According to the caucus, the latest EFCC action forms part of a broader pattern aimed at weakening the opposition administration in the state.

The lawmakers alleged that statutory allocations meant for local government councils in Osun had been withheld for months, describing the development as “economic strangulation” intended to cripple governance at the grassroots before the election.

They also alleged that the state had witnessed persistent violence allegedly involving members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and imported political thugs, while accusing the Nigeria Police Force of failing to respond appropriately.

The caucus further criticised what it described as the “Gestapo-style arrest and detention” of the Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaiye, and other officials over what it called flimsy allegations, arguing that the arrests amounted to an attack on the state government.

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It also faulted the conduct of the Osun State Commissioner of Police and criticised comments made following a recent visit by the Inspector-General of Police, alleging that accusations that the Osun Government was harbouring hoodlums in the Government House were politically motivated.

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

Warning against abuse of institutions

The minority caucus warned that actions and public comments by some presidential appointees were capable of damaging the administration’s credibility and deepening public distrust.

According to the lawmakers, the latest developments suggest that federal institutions are being deployed against opposition-controlled states.

“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,” the statement said.

While acknowledging that Mr Tinubu is from Osun State, the caucus insisted that he should allow residents to freely choose their governor without interference.

“Yes, Mr President hails from Osun, but the state cannot be a personal fiefdom. He must therefore allow the people to freely choose who governs them,” the lawmakers stated.

They called for an atmosphere that would allow voters to participate freely without fear, intimidation or coercion.

“Violence, intimidation, economic sabotage and the misuse of federal agencies have no place in a democracy,” the caucus added, warning that Osun “is not a conquered territory.”

The lawmakers also urged civil society organisations, election observers and the international community to closely monitor developments before, during and after the election, saying both the APC and the federal government should be held responsible for any breakdown of law and order.

“Osun people will vote. Osun people will be protected. And democracy will prevail,” the statement said.