Atiku describes Osun allocation freeze as assault on democratic process
The presidential candidate of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Atiku Abubakar, has criticised the reported freezing of the Osun State Government's statutory allocation account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), describing the action as a serious threat to Nigeria's democratic process. In a statement issued by his media aide, Atiku said the timing of the action, coming just days before the Osun governorship election, raises concerns about the neutrality of public institutions and could undermine confidence in the electoral process. According to him, restricting access to the state's statutory allocation at such a critical period could disrupt government operations, delay salary payments and affect the delivery of essential public services. He argued that while anti-corruption agencies have a constitutional responsibility to investigate allegations of wrongdoing, such actions should always follow due process and avoid creating the impression of political interference. Atiku warned that institutions established to uphold the law must remain independent and should not be perceived as being used to influence political outcomes or weaken elected governments during election periods. The former Vice President also linked the development to what he described as a pattern of actions against opposition-controlled states, expressing concern that the alleged freezing of the account could further erode public trust in democratic institutions. He called on all agencies involved in the conduct of the Osun governorship election to act professionally, impartially and in accordance with the Constitution, stressing that the outcome of the election should be determined solely by the will of the electorate. Atiku also urged political stakeholders and Nigerians to remain committed to protecting democratic values, insisting that credible elections and the independence of public institutions are essential to sustaining the country's democracy.
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