Freezing of Osun State Government Bank Accounts: An Unprecedented Assault on DEMOCRACY And a Desperate Attempt to Hijack The Will of The People

Freezing of Osun State Government Bank Accounts: An Unprecedented Assault on DEMOCRACY And a Desperate Attempt to Hijack The Will of The People

The Coalition of Pro-Democracy Organizations condemns in the strongest possible terms the freezing of bank accounts belonging to the Osun State Government by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), an action reportedly conveyed in a letter addressed to the Abuja Office of First Bank, barely days before the August 15, 2026 Governorship Election in Osun State.

This action is not merely an administrative decision; it is an unprecedented assault on constitutional democracy and a dangerous attempt to undermine the sovereign will of the people of Osun State. It represents yet another phase in what appears to be a systematic effort by the APC-led Federal Government to deploy federal institutions in pursuit of political advantage instead of allowing the people to freely and fairly determine their political future through the ballot.

We consider this action to be unlawful, politically provocative and wholly inconsistent with the constitutional principles of fairness, due process and federalism. The timing of this action leaves no reasonable observer in doubt that it is capable of creating an atmosphere that could affect governance and the electoral process in Osun State.

The EFCC was established as an anti-corruption agency, not as a political institution for determining electoral outcomes. It is deeply regrettable that under the leadership of its current Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, the Commission has, in our opinion, increasingly attracted allegations of selective enforcement and political partisanship. Never before has the credibility and neutrality of the EFCC been subjected to such intense public scrutiny.

The freezing of the accounts of a democratically elected state government on the eve of a governorship election raises profound constitutional and democratic questions. No anti-corruption objective should become a pretext for actions capable of disrupting governance or creating the perception of institutional interference in a democratic contest.

The Coalition therefore demands the immediate reversal of the freezing order and the restoration of full access to the affected accounts within the next 48 hours.

We wish to make it abundantly clear that should this action remain in force beyond that period, the Coalition, together with other pro-democracy groups, labour activists, students, youth organizations and concerned Nigerians, shall commence nationwide peaceful mass protests. We will also mobilize the people of Osun State in an unprecedented democratic resistance against what we consider an unacceptable attempt to manipulate the political process through the instrumentalization of state institutions.

Nigeria’s democracy was built on immense sacrifice by patriotic citizens who resisted authoritarian tendencies. We shall not stand by and watch those democratic gains eroded through actions capable of diminishing public confidence in free and fair elections.

We call on the international community, including diplomatic missions, election observers, the African Union, ECOWAS, the Commonwealth and other democratic partners, to closely monitor developments in Nigeria and pay particular attention to the unfolding events in Osun State. The world must not ignore any development capable of undermining democratic governance, the rule of law and the integrity of elections in Africa’s largest democracy.

History will judge every institution and every public official by whether they stood on the side of democracy or on the side of political expediency. The people of Osun State must be allowed to choose their Governor freely, without intimidation, coercion or any action capable of influencing the electoral environment.

The Coalition remains resolute in defending democracy and the constitutional rights of the Nigerian people. Democracy must never be sacrificed on the altar of partisan political interests.

Yours Sincerely,

Ihekiare

National Coordinator
Coalition of Pro-Democracy Organizations