By Oluwakemi Kindness
The House of Representatives Minority Caucus has criticized President Bola Tinubu over his directive to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to unfreeze the Osun State Government’s bank accounts.
The caucus described the President’s intervention as a “panicky, belated afterthought” prompted by public outrage rather than respect for the rule of law.
In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday, Minority Leader Fredrick Agbedi and Caucus Spokesman Afam Victor-Ogene said the development exposed what they described as contradictions within the Federal Government.
The lawmakers questioned conflicting statements from the EFCC and the Presidency over whether a valid court order existed to freeze the Osun accounts.
According to the caucus, the inconsistency raises concerns about coordination within the Tinubu administration and the handling of the matter.
The opposition lawmakers also alleged that the freezing of the accounts was part of a broader pattern of intimidation against the Osun State Government ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
They accused the Federal Government of withholding local government allocations due to Osun, describing the move as an attempt to weaken governance at the grassroots.
The caucus further alleged that security agencies failed to act against political violence in the state while targeting opposition figures.
It also criticised the arrest of Osun State Government officials and accused the police of acting in a partisan manner.
The lawmakers warned against the use of federal institutions to influence the outcome of the governorship election.
They urged President Tinubu to ensure that Osun residents are allowed to vote freely without intimidation or interference.
The caucus also called on civil society organisations and the international community to closely monitor the election and hold all parties accountable for preserving peace and democratic principles.
The statement maintained that violence, intimidation and the misuse of government institutions have no place in a democratic society.
