News
Reps Minority Caucus Fault Tinubu Over Osun Accounts, Allege Plot to Intimidate Opposition
…say President’s directive to EFCC exposes contradictions as caucus alleges pattern of political pressure ahead of governorship poll
By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives Minority Caucus has accused President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of issuing what it described as a “panicky, belated afterthought” directive to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the freezing of Osun State Government accounts, insisting that the development exposed contradictions within the Federal Government and an alleged attempt to intimidate the state ahead of next week’s governorship election.
In a statement jointly signed by the Minority Leader, Rep. Fredrick Agbedi, and the caucus spokesperson, Rep. Afam Ogene, and made available to journalists in Abuja on Friday, the lawmakers argued that the President’s instruction directing the anti-graft agency to vacate the order freezing the state’s accounts was prompted by widespread public criticism rather than a commitment to the rule of law.
According to the caucus, the directive revealed what it described as “a government at war with itself.”
The lawmakers pointed to conflicting public statements issued by the EFCC and the Presidency on Thursday.
While EFCC spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, reportedly stated during a television interview that the freezing of Osun State’s accounts was carried out “without a valid court order,” the Presidency later directed the commission to approach the court to vacate what it described as an existing order.
“So, which is it? Was there a court order or not?” .
“Is the President not aware of what his own appointees are saying and doing? Has the President lost control to his army of sycophants who behave like lords over the people? Or are they simply trying to hide an illegality that has already been exposed?”, the caucus questioned.
The Minority Caucus further alleged that senior presidential aides were among the first to circulate and defend the EFCC’s initial statement on the matter.
“It is, therefore, insulting for the President to pretend ignorance. Nigerians are not fools,” the lawmakers said.
The caucus maintained that the controversy surrounding the freezing of Osun State’s accounts was only the latest in what it described as a sustained pattern of actions targeting the state.
According to the lawmakers, the Federal Government had, for months, withheld statutory allocations meant for local government councils in Osun State.
“For months, the Federal Government has illegally withheld and seized statutory allocations due to Osun Local Governments. This is economic strangulation aimed at crippling governance at the grassroots ahead of elections,” the statement said.
The caucus also alleged persistent violence by members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and what it described as imported thugs, accusing the police of failing to respond appropriately.
It further condemned what it called the “Gestapo-style arrest and detention” of the Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaiye, and others.
According to the lawmakers, the arrests amounted to “a direct attack on the institution of the state government.”
They also criticised the conduct of the Osun State Commissioner of Police and the outcome of a recent visit by the Inspector-General of Police, particularly allegations that the Osun State Government was harbouring hoodlums within Government House.
“This is not policing. It is partisan propaganda in uniform,” the caucus stated.
The opposition lawmakers further accused some presidential appointees of making what they described as “shocking, unpresidential, and inciting statements” capable of undermining public confidence in the administration.
“The mask is off. Nigerians can now see clearly that the APC has weaponized federal institutions against opposition states – a dress rehearsal of what is to come in the 2027 general elections.
“Yes, Mr. President hails from Osun, but the state can not be a personal fiefdom; he must therefore allow the people to freely choose who governs them.
“The people of Osun should be given the enabling environment to freely exercise their constitutional right to vote, without fear, coercion, or voter apathy engineered by state terror.
“Violence, intimidation, economic sabotage, and the misuse of federal agencies have NO place in a democracy”, it noted.
The caucus warned against any attempt to influence the outcome of the forthcoming governorship election through the use of state institutions.
The lawmakers also called on civil society organisations and the international community to closely monitor developments before, during and after the election, urging them to hold both the APC and the Federal Government accountable for any breakdown of law and order.
“Osun is not a conquered territory. You will not rig this election through EFCC, through the Police, or through thuggery.
“Osun people will vote. Osun people will be protected. And democracy will prevail.” the statement added.
Anambra State Government has acknowledged that former Governor Peter Obi performed well during his tenure, while clarifying that its ongoing scrutiny of his administration’s financial records is not intended to discredit his achievements or political ambitions.
The state Commissioner for Information and Value Reorientation, Law Mefor, made the clarification while addressing the controversy surrounding Obi’s claim that he left no financial liabilities for subsequent administrations.
Mefor said the government’s position was focused on establishing the accuracy of the state’s financial records, particularly claims relating to funds allegedly left behind by the former governor.
He specifically questioned Obi’s assertion that his administration left N12.13 billion in an ecological fund account domiciled with First Bank at the Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka branch.
According to the commissioner, the state government requested the relevant account statement from the bank but found no evidence supporting the claimed balance.
Mefor, however, stressed that the financial inquiry should not be interpreted as an attempt to diminish Obi’s record in office.
“The intention of the Anambra State government is not to indict Peter Obi. Peter Obi did well as governor.
“There is no rift between Governor Soludo and Peter Obi. They are both in politics, and they have their interests to defend,” he said.
The comments come amid renewed political exchanges between supporters of Obi, the former Anambra governor and Labour Party presidential candidate, and the administration of Governor Chukwuma Soludo.
While the two politicians have publicly differed over aspects of Anambra’s financial and developmental record, Mefor said the state government’s position was primarily aimed at clarifying the records rather than attacking Obi personally.
Abia State Governor Alex Otti has said he will support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027, despite remaining a member of the opposition Labour Party (LP).
Otti made the clarification during an interview with Arise Television on Friday, where he addressed questions about his relationship with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and his position on Tinubu’s 2027 ambition.
The governor was asked whether his support for Tinubu amounted to a “comfortable arrangement” between him and the ruling party.
Otti agreed with the description, saying his position as a governor and member of the National Economic Council made it difficult for him to openly oppose the President’s re-election bid.
“It works the way you have said. It’s a statement of fact. I am not in a position to oppose his candidacy,” he said.
Otti explained that although he could disagree with some government policies, his membership of the National Economic Council meant he was also part of the broader governance structure through which federal policies and decisions were discussed.
He said openly opposing the President could create unnecessary tension within the system, adding that he preferred to raise disagreements during government meetings.
“And sometimes people don’t understand the opposition. When you say opposition, and you are part of a government, then what you are driving towards is implosion.
“So if I do have a problem with anything, I’ll sit down in one of our meetings and I’ll make my point. So I’m not going to oppose his candidacy,” Otti said.
The Abia governor further stressed that his role in the National Economic Council had placed him directly within the process of implementing and discussing policies of the Federal Government.
“I had also said that as a governor in this republic, that a lot of the things that are being, in fact, I’m part of all the things that have been done as a member of National Economic Council. So, we should distinguish that.
“When somebody now says, ‘Oh, you are supporting or you’re not,’ I have to support him,” he said.
However, Otti appeared to draw a distinction between supporting Tinubu’s re-election and abandoning the Labour Party.
When reminded of his earlier statement that he still had a presidential candidate in the Labour Party, the governor rejected the suggestion that he was referring to Tinubu.
“No, that’s not what I said,” he said.
Asked whether he was referring specifically to a Labour Party presidential candidate, Otti replied, “Yes.”
But when pressed again on whether he supported Tinubu’s 2027 bid, he responded: “What do you expect me to say? To say I’m not supporting him?”
Otti also said Tinubu had the constitutional right to seek another term in office, while noting that some of the President’s policies were consistent with positions he had previously held.
He specifically cited the removal of the petrol subsidy, which he described as unsustainable.
“Quite frankly, there are a lot of things that we have talked about now, that he has implemented, that resonate with me and my thinking.
“People don’t have to agree with me, but from where I sit, I know that for instance, the fuel subsidy was even unsustainable,” Otti said.
Former Osun governor’s absence raises questions as Atiku unveils campaign structure dominated by top political figures
Former Osun State Governor and National Secretary of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Rauf Aregbesola, has been left out of the presidential campaign council unveiled by the party’s candidate, Atiku Abubakar, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Also absent from the campaign structure is the party’s National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi.
The omissions have attracted attention because both officials occupy key positions in the ADC’s national leadership. The party’s official website currently lists Aregbesola as National Secretary and Abdullahi as National Publicity Secretary.
Atiku approved the composition of the campaign council on Thursday, with Kashim Ibrahim-Imam appointed chairman and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir el-Rufai named deputy chairman.
Senator Austin Akobundu was appointed Director-General and Campaign Manager, while veteran journalist and publisher Dele Momodu will oversee the Media and Communications Directorate. Former Kogi West Senator Dino Melaye was named Deputy Director-General of the Contact and Mobilisation Directorate.
Former Edo State Governor and ex-national chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), John Oyegun, will chair the Campaign Advisory Board.
The policy team will be headed by Mohammed Hayatu-Deen, who contested the ADC presidential primary alongside Atiku, while former Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Kingsley Moghalu, is also listed as a member.
According to Phrank Shaibu, Atiku’s Director of Strategic Communications, the campaign structure was designed around specific responsibilities, with six operational directorates and 30 directors assigned to defined roles.
“This is a structure built for work. Every directorate has a duty. Every director has an assignment. Every appointee must account for results,” Shaibu said.
Why Aregbesola’s absence is attracting attention
Aregbesola’s omission is particularly notable because of his position as one of the senior officers of the opposition party and his involvement in its political activities.
On the same day the campaign council was announced, Aregbesola appeared alongside Atiku and other ADC leaders in Akure, Ondo State, at the reception organised for Eyitayo Jegede, the former governorship candidate who joined the ADC.
However, Abdullahi has played down the significance of the omission.
Speaking to TheCable on Friday, he said the absence of some party leaders from the campaign structure should not be interpreted as evidence of disagreement within the party.
“There are so many party leaders whose names are not there. We play an important role in the party. So, it is not anything,” Abdullahi said.
He argued that the ADC’s national leadership still had to perform its statutory party functions and that removing key national officers from the party structure simply because of the campaign would be counterproductive.
Reported disagreement over campaign structure
Despite that explanation, reports indicate that the composition and structure of the campaign council had generated disagreement within the party.
According to reports, Kashim Ibrahim-Imam, who was appointed chairman of the campaign council, and Dino Melaye were involved in compiling the campaign structure before it was submitted to the ADC leadership for consideration.
Aregbesola was reportedly unhappy with aspects of the proposed organogram, particularly the arrangement under which some party executives would be required to report to individuals serving in the campaign structure who are not members of the party’s formal leadership.
He was also reportedly said to have questioned aspects of the composition of the council.
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