Tinubu Waging War Against Opposition, Not Corruption – Atiku

..Says Freezing of Osun State's Allocation Account Is a Dangerous Assault on Democracy

Former Vice President of Nigeria and Presidential Candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has condemned the freezing of the Osun State Government's statutory allocation account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing the action as a dangerous assault on democracy and an attempt to undermine the opposition.

In a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication, Phrank Shaibu, Atiku expressed grave concern over the EFCC's decision to freeze the account just days before the Osun State governorship election.

According to him, the timing of the action raises serious concerns about the neutrality of institutions charged with upholding the rule of law and 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," he said. "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 maintained that while allegations of wrongdoing should be investigated, anti-corruption agencies must operate within the bounds of due process and avoid actions that create the perception of political interference.

"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," he stated.

The former vice president argued that Nigeria's democracy depends not only on free and fair elections but also on the confidence of citizens that state institutions act independently, professionally and without political influence.

He further alleged that the Tinubu administration has established a pattern in which opposition-controlled states are subjected to coercive federal actions.

"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," Atiku said.

He added that the freezing of Osun State's allocation account, coming after what he described as the prolonged withholding of the state's statutory local government allocations, reinforces the perception that public institutions are being weaponised against political opponents rather than serving the interests of Nigerians.

Calling for an immediate reversal of the action, Atiku warned that the decision would ultimately hurt ordinary residents of Osun State.

"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 Osun governorship election to uphold the Constitution and discharge their responsibilities with impartiality and restraint.

"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," he stated.

Atiku further accused President Bola Tinubu of pursuing electoral victories through the alleged use of state institutions against political opponents.

"President Tinubu is leaving no one in doubt that he is determined to win elections at all costs. Democracy cannot coexist with the systematic weaponisation of state institutions against political opponents. I therefore call on all opposition parties and every Nigerian committed to constitutional democracy to close ranks and resist this dangerous drift before it is too late."

The statement was signed by Phrank Shaibu, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communication to Atiku Abubakar, on August 6, 2026.