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Osun Poll: Imole Campaign Council Accuses EFCC of Using Anti-Graft Powers to Influence Election
By Gloria Ikibah
The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of abusing its statutory powers by freezing the Osun State Government’s accounts barely days before the governorship election of the state, alleging that the action amounts to political interference aimed at undermining the democratic process.
In a statement issued on Thursday by the Chairman Media and Publicity Committee, Rep. Bamidele Salam, the campaign council described the development as an unprecedented misuse of authority capable of disrupting governance and denying residents access to essential public services.
Salam argued that the timing of the action, coming about 10 days before the governorship election in which the incumbent governor is seeking re-election, raises serious concerns over the motive behind the decision.
He said: “The Imole Campaign Council (TICC) has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of going outside its mandate by interfering in the upcoming governorship election in Osun State, describing the freezing of Osun State Government account a few days to the election as a brazen abuse of authority and attack on the people.
“It is quite ludicrous that a body set up to fight infractions in the society is invariably enabling it. Nothing, other than politics can accurately explain the reprehensible action of the EFCC to freeze the account of Osun State Government just 10 days to election which the incumbent is a candidate.”
The council contended that the freezing of the state’s accounts had effectively crippled the government’s ability to discharge its constitutional responsibilities.
According to Salam, the action could affect the payment of workers’ salaries and pensions, execution of infrastructure projects, security operations and other essential public services.
“By implication, the EFCC as a body set up by law is frustrating a sub-national government from carrying out its lawful duties of payment of salary and allowances, pensions, fixing infrastructure, addressing security challenges and carrying out other duties which the Nigerian Constitution has entrusted unto the state”, he added.
The council further alleged that the anti-graft agency’s decision amounted to an assault on democratic governance and the rights of the people of Osun State.
“The EFCC has in other words executed a coup against the democratic expression of over five million citizens of a supposedly democratic country.
“In plain sight, what the EFCC has done is to recklessly weaponise its authority to exert economic pressure on Osun people in the bid to coerce them into schemed political choice”, Salam stated.
Salam also warned that the development could disrupt critical public services, including healthcare programmes, insisting that public institutions should never be used as political tools.
“With the politically motivated action of the EFCC, many essential services, including planning for some public health interventions, can no longer go on.
“This is very unfair to Osun people because we believe that public institutions should never become a political weapon against ordinary citizens”, he expressed worries.
While reiterating the council’s support for transparency and accountability in public office, Salam maintained that the anti-corruption campaign must not be used as a cover for political persecution.
The campaign organisation urged the commission to immediately reverse its decision and allow the state government to continue its operations without hindrance.
“As much as we are not opposed to accountability in governance, we state our total rejection to political witch-hunting disguised as corruption fight.
“The EFCC approach, timing and the follow-up posture all have politics written over it, and we want to call on the anti-graft body to immediately stop further attempts to interfere with the will of Osun people.
“We maintain that Osun people have every rights to democratic choices via the poll and as such, will not accept the subtle attempt by the EFCC to subdue their wills through abuse of authority.
“We therefore call on the EFCC to immediately unfreeze the account so that governance can continue and the people can get the services they deserved”, he said.
The EFCC had not issued a response to the allegations at the time of filing this report.
By Prosper Olayiwola
A House of Assembly Candidate for Ikole Constituency 1 on the platform of the African Democratic Congress, ADC, Kayode Arewa Sanni, has called on his constituents, party members and supporters to unite ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Arewa Sanni made the call in Ikole-Ekiti while addressing party faithful and supporters at a stakeholders’ meeting convened to strengthen grassroots mobilisation in the constituency.
He said the 2027 elections present a defining moment for the people of Ikole Constituency 1 to chart a new course of inclusive representation, people-oriented legislation and accelerated development.
The candidate noted that disunity among party members and supporters remains the greatest obstacle to victory, stressing that only a united front can dislodge entrenched interests and deliver the dividends of democracy to the people.
“I appeal to all our party leaders, members, supporters and well-wishers across Ikole Constituency 1 to put aside personal differences and work together as one family. Our strength lies in our unity,” he said.
Arewa Sanni said his candidacy was driven by a desire to give Ikole Constituency 1 a vibrant and responsive voice in the Ekiti State House of Assembly, with focus on youth empowerment, education, healthcare and rural infrastructure.
He assured constituents that if given the mandate, he would prioritise quality representation and ensure that government presence is felt in all communities within the constituency.
He also called on supporters of the ADC across Ekiti State to rally behind the party’s vision of good governance, transparency and accountability as preparations for the 2027 polls gather momentum.
The aspirant expressed confidence that with unity, commitment and collective effort, the ADC would emerge victorious in Ikole Constituency 1 and other constituencies across the state.
No fewer than six inmates have died within one week following a suspected cholera outbreak at the Kurmawa Maximum Prison in Kano State.
Amnesty International raised the alarm in a post on its official Facebook page, calling on authorities to immediately declare an emergency at the correctional facility.
Amnesty said several other inmates were currently receiving treatment, warning that the death toll could be higher as the suspected disease continues to spread among prisoners.
It urged the authorities to immediately transfer critically ill inmates to hospitals for proper medical attention to prevent further deaths.
The organisation warned that failure to urgently intervene could amount to arbitrary deprivation of life, which it described as a serious human rights violation under international law.
Amnesty also expressed concern over the broader conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities, particularly the prolonged detention of inmates awaiting trial.
According to the organisation, detainees without financial means face greater difficulty having their rights protected, with some spending years in custody without being convicted of any crime.
It further said many inmates were being held in overcrowded and unhygienic cells without adequate food and healthcare.
Amnesty called for urgent reforms to improve conditions in Nigerian correctional facilities and ensure compliance with international best practices.
Popular media personality and self-acclaimed relationship expert, Blessing Okoro, popularly known as Blessing CEO, has reportedly lost her second son while remanded in custody.
The development was confirmed in an online appeal by Amira Agiye, head of the Isaamira Love Foundation, who spoke on Okoro’s behalf to request public financial assistance.
She said, “It is sad to announce to you all that Blessing CEO just lost her second son. My name is Amira Agiye.
“I’m here to appeal on behalf of Blessing CEO, who is currently in custody. I understand that people might have different opinions about her and the circumstances surrounding her case.
“And like every one of us, she deserves compassion and an opportunity for redemption.
She needs N20 million to meet the bail requirements. She also needs N36 million to pay the people she owes who brought the case against her.
“Please, Nigerians, let’s forgive her for the sake of that boy who is still in the mortuary. With Blessing’s full consent and authorisation, I’m appealing to all Nigerians to help donate so we can help her out of this situation.”
Also speaking in a voice conversation played by Amira, Blessing, CEO, said, “My second son, Bryan, was full of life. While in custody, I lost Bryan.
I pray this turns out positive so I can leave this place, pick up the pieces of my life and pay my respects to him.”
Recall that the self-acclaimed relationship expert was remanded in Kirikiri Prison over an N69.15 million property fraud trial.
She was granted N20 million bail in July 2026, with two sureties in like sum, and each surety was required to provide three years’ proof of deposits valued at N20 million.
Following her inability to meet the bail conditions, Blessing CEO, remains in prison facility two months after she was granted bail.
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