‘I’ve kept off EFCC operations to preserve its independence’ — Tinubu
President Bola Tinubu says he has deliberately stayed away from the operational activities of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and other law enforcement agencies, insisting that anti-corruption institutions must be allowed to perform their constitutional responsibilities without political interference.
The President stated this on Thursday via his X account in response to the EFCC’s decision to seek a court order freezing the Osun State Government’s bank accounts. This move has generated political controversy ahead of the state’s governorship election.
Tinubu said although the anti-graft agency acted within its statutory powers, he was “deeply embarrassed” by the timing of the action because it could create the impression that the Federal Government was attempting to influence the electoral process.
“Since assuming office, I have consistently maintained that anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies must be allowed to discharge their statutory responsibilities independently, professionally, without fear or favour, or political interference,” the President said.
“I have therefore deliberately refrained from directing or interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC or any other investigative or prosecutorial agency because I firmly believe that strong democratic institutions, operating within the confines of the law, are indispensable to democratic good governance and the rule of law.”
Tinubu said actions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to the Presidency even when he has no prior knowledge of them, adding that this informed his decision to publicly address the matter.
“It has come to my notice that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission obtained a court order on August 5, 2026, freezing the accounts of the Osun State Government. I must state that I feel deeply embarrassed not by the EFCC’s exercise of its mandate backed by a court order, but by the timing of the agency’s action,” he said.
