The presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, has criticised the reported freezing of the Osun State Government’s bank accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), raising concerns over the timing of the action just days before the state’s governorship election.
In a statement shared on his official X account on Thursday, Obi reaffirmed his support for the fight against corruption but cautioned that anti-graft efforts must never be used to intimidate political opponents or undermine Nigeria’s democratic process.
“I have always supported a relentless fight against corruption. However, that fight must never become a tool for political intimidation or the suppression of democracy,” Obi stated.
The former Anambra State governor questioned why the alleged enforcement action was taken so close to the election if investigations had reportedly been ongoing for several months. He argued that the timing was bound to raise public concern about the neutrality of government institutions.
“The timing of this action raises legitimate questions. If investigations had been ongoing for months, why take such a drastic step on the eve of an election?” he asked.
Obi stressed that institutions charged with enforcing the law must not only remain independent but must also be perceived as impartial to maintain public confidence in democratic governance. According to him, any action capable of creating the impression of political bias could weaken trust in state institutions.
While acknowledging that allegations of financial misconduct should be thoroughly investigated, Obi insisted that all enforcement actions must follow constitutional procedures and due process. He maintained that where evidence of wrongdoing exists, authorities should obtain the necessary orders from a court of competent jurisdiction before taking action.
The former presidential candidate also warned against what he described as the growing perception that public institutions are being deployed for political purposes, saying such a trend could erode democratic values and damage Nigeria’s institutional credibility.
Obi called on relevant authorities to ensure that the Osun governorship election is conducted in a free, fair and credible manner, urging that voters be allowed to choose their leaders without intimidation or interference. His comments come amid ongoing political controversy surrounding the reported account freeze and heightened tensions ahead of the August 15 governorship poll.
