African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has seized on President Bola Tinubu’s reported intervention in the Osun State account controversy, arguing that the development exposes the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as an institution vulnerable to political influence.
Sowore’s reaction followed reports that President Tinubu directed the anti-graft agency to lift the Post-No-Debit restriction placed on the Osun State Government’s statutory allocation account, a decision that had triggered days of political controversy ahead of the state’s August 15 governorship election.
For the activist-turned-politician, the reported reversal raises a deeper question: Who really controls the EFCC?
In a post shared on his official 𝕏 account on Thursday, Sowore accused the anti-corruption agency of allowing itself to become an instrument in the hands of those in power.
According to him, the commission is deployed whenever political interests need to be served and restrained only when those same interests demand it.
“The @OfficialEFCC has become a tool in the hands of those in power, deployed whenever they want to pursue their political objectives.
“And now its ‘owners’ have called it to order!”
His remarks add another layer to the growing political debate surrounding the EFCC’s handling of the Osun account investigation.
The controversy escalated after reports emerged that President Tinubu was dissatisfied with the EFCC’s decision to freeze the Osun State Government’s account just days before voters head to the polls.
According to the reports, the President expressed concern over both the timing and the political implications of the action, reportedly describing the development as embarrassing.
He was subsequently said to have directed the commission to remove the restriction and restore the state government’s access to its account.
The Presidency has yet to publicly provide detailed comments on the reported directive.
Why The EFCC Froze The Account
Before the reported presidential intervention, the EFCC had defended its action, insisting that the restriction was part of an ongoing investigation into the alleged management of public funds by the Osun State Government.
Also Read: BREAKING: “Deeply embarrassed,” Tinubu phones Gov Adeleke, orders EFCC to unfreeze Osun govt account
The commission maintained that investigators detected what it described as suspicious movements of funds from the affected account and imposed the temporary restriction to preserve the integrity of the investigation.
The anti-graft agency repeatedly denied allegations that the action was politically motivated or linked to the forthcoming governorship election.
The EFCC’s decision had already sparked widespread criticism across Nigeria’s political and legal circles.
Opposition parties, constitutional lawyers and civil society organisations argued that restricting a state’s statutory allocation account could cripple governance, delay salary payments and create an atmosphere capable of undermining public confidence ahead of a major election.
Several critics also questioned why such a significant enforcement action was taken only days before Osun residents are expected to elect their next governor.
Sowore’s latest comments now amplify those concerns, suggesting that the reported reversal itself reinforces long-standing allegations that the EFCC is susceptible to political influence.
As the controversy continues, the debate has shifted beyond the investigation itself to broader questions about the independence of anti-corruption institutions and the role they should play during politically sensitive periods such as election seasons.