Presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of using federal institutions to target political opponents.
He alleged that the government is “waging a war against the opposition, not corruption.”
Atiku made the allegation on Thursday while condemning the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) decision to freeze the Osun State Government’s statutory allocation account just days before the state’s governorship election, describing the action as “a dangerous assault on democracy.”
In a statement issued by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, the former vice president said the timing of the EFCC’s action raises serious concerns about the neutrality of institutions responsible for upholding the rule of law and protecting Nigeria’s democratic process.
According to him, there is no justification for freezing the state’s principal operational account on the eve of a crucial election, warning that such a move could erode public confidence in the credibility of the electoral process.
“It is impossible to ignore the implications of freezing a state’s principal operational account on the eve of a governorship election. Such an action could disrupt governance, delay salary payments, impede essential public services and create an atmosphere of intimidation that has no place in a democratic society,” Atiku said.
He added, “If there are legitimate concerns requiring investigation, the law provides due process. Anti-corruption agencies must not conduct themselves in a manner that creates the perception that they are being deployed to influence political outcomes or weaken elected governments at critical electoral moments.”
The ADC presidential candidate maintained that Nigeria’s democracy depends not only on the conduct of free and fair elections but also on the confidence of citizens that state institutions operate independently, professionally and without political interference.
He argued that the selective use of federal institutions against opposition-controlled states weakens democratic governance and undermines public trust in agencies established to enforce the law.
“The selective and politically convenient deployment of state institutions diminishes public trust and weakens the democratic order. Institutions established to enforce the law must never become instruments for creating fear or conferring political advantage,” he said.
Atiku further alleged that the action against the Osun State Government reflects what he described as a growing pattern under the Tinubu administration, where opposition-controlled states are subjected to coercive federal actions.
“It is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore the pattern under the Tinubu administration, where opposition-controlled states appear to be the consistent targets of coercive federal actions. Coming after the prolonged denial of Osun State’s statutory local government allocations, this latest action reinforces the disturbing impression that public institutions are being weaponised to punish political opponents rather than serve the Nigerian people,” he stated.
Calling for an immediate reversal of the decision, the former vice president said freezing the state’s allocation account would have far-reaching consequences for governance and the welfare of residents.
“Freezing the state’s allocation account is not merely an attack on the Osun State Government; it is a direct assault on the people of Osun State, whose salaries, essential public services and daily governance stand to suffer. The anti-corruption mandate of the EFCC must never be distorted into a political weapon against opposition governments,” he said.
He also urged all institutions involved in the conduct of the forthcoming Osun governorship election to remain impartial and uphold the provisions of the Constitution.
“The people of Osun State alone must determine the outcome of their election. No external force or institution of government should, by action or omission, cast a shadow over the credibility of that democratic choice,” Atiku added.
