President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately take steps to vacate a court order freezing the bank accounts of the Osun State Government, describing the timing of the action as inappropriate given the state's forthcoming governorship election.

In a statement issued from the State House on Thursday, the President said he became aware that the EFCC had secured the court order on August 5, 2026. While affirming the anti-graft agency's statutory independence, Tinubu expressed concern that the timing of the move could create the perception that the Federal Government was attempting to influence the electoral process in Osun State.

The President stated that he was "deeply embarrassed" by the timing of the action, noting that decisions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to the Presidency, regardless of whether he had prior knowledge of them.

Tinubu reiterated his administration's commitment to allowing anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to carry out their constitutional responsibilities without political interference. He explained that he had consistently refrained from directing the operational activities of the EFCC and other investigative agencies because of his belief in strong democratic institutions governed by the rule of law.

However, the President said the proximity of the August 15 Osun governorship election made the situation exceptional, stressing that no action should create the impression that any federal agency was being used to interfere with the democratic process.

Although he noted that he was yet to receive a full briefing on the facts that prompted the EFCC to obtain the court order, Tinubu maintained that the overriding public interest required immediate intervention to safeguard public confidence in the credibility and fairness of the election.

Consequently, the President directed the EFCC to return to court without delay to vacate the order freezing the Osun State Government's accounts and discontinue all related legal actions against the state in the matter.

The directive comes amid heightened political activities in Osun State as preparations intensify for the governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026. The development is expected to shape ongoing discussions about the role of federal institutions during election periods and the need to preserve public trust in Nigeria's democratic process.