Pro Democracy Coalition Gives EFCC 48 Hour Ultimatum Over Freeze on Osun Government Accounts

Group warns of nationwide protests, accuses anti graft agency of undermining democracy days before governorship election

ABUJA, Nigeria

A coalition of pro democracy organisations has issued a 48 hour ultimatum to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), demanding the immediate reversal of the freezing of Osun State Government bank accounts ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the coalition, in a statement released on Thursday, described the action as an unprecedented assault on constitutional democracy and alleged that it was capable of influencing the political environment in the state barely days before voters head to the polls.

Coalition Alleges Threat to Democracy

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According to the coalition, the freezing order, reportedly conveyed by the EFCC in a letter to the Abuja office of First Bank, represents more than an administrative action.The group argued that the development raises serious constitutional concerns and could undermine public confidence in Nigeria’s democratic process.

It further alleged that federal institutions were increasingly being deployed for political purposes rather than allowing the electorate to determine their leaders through free and fair elections.

EFCC Accused of Political PartisanshipThe coalition criticised the leadership of the EFCC, alleging that the commission had attracted increasing accusations of selective enforcement and political bias.

According to the statement, anti corruption measures should never be used in a manner capable of disrupting governance or creating the perception of institutional interference in an electoral contest.

The group maintained that the freezing of the accounts of a democratically elected state government shortly before a governorship election raises profound constitutional and democratic questions.

48 Hour Deadline Issued

The coalition demanded that the affected accounts be fully restored within 48 hours.It warned that failure to comply would trigger nationwide peaceful protests involving pro democracy organisations, labour unions, student bodies, youth groups and other civil society organisations.

According to the statement, the coalition also plans to mobilise residents of Osun State in what it described as democratic resistance against any action perceived as an attempt to manipulate the electoral process.

International Community Urged to Monitor Situation

The coalition appealed to the international community, including diplomatic missions, election observers, the African Union, ECOWAS and the Commonwealth, to closely monitor political developments in Nigeria ahead of the Osun governorship election.

It argued that any action capable of undermining democratic governance, the rule of law and electoral integrity deserves close international attention.

The statement concluded by asserting that history would judge public institutions and officials based on whether they defended democratic principles or political expediency.

ValidViewNetwork reports that the EFCC had not publicly responded to the coalition’s latest statement as of the time of filing this report.