Coalition Of Pro-Democracy Groups Warns Against Reported EFCC Plan To Freeze Accounts Of Osun Govt And Gov Adeleke Loyalists
PRESS STATEMENT
Alleged Plot to Freeze Osun State Government and Political Leaders’ Bank Accounts: A Dangerous Assault on Democracy that Must Be Resisted
The Coalition of Pro-democracy Organizations has received with grave concern reports making the rounds in the public domain alleging a clandestine plan by the Federal Government, through the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), to freeze bank accounts belonging to the Osun State Government as well as some political leaders and stakeholders of opposition political parties in the State ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.
If these reports are true, such an action would represent one of the gravest assaults on constitutional democracy, the rule of law and the electoral rights of the people of Osun State since the return to democratic governance in 1999.
We consider this alleged plot as yet another phase in the series of desperate political actions allegedly being deployed by the APC-led Federal Government to forcefully seize political power in Osun State through intimidation, coercion and the weaponization of state institutions, rather than allowing the people to freely determine their political future through the ballot.
Democracy is founded on the supremacy of the people’s will, not on the abuse of federal institutions to intimidate political opponents or cripple duly elected governments. The credibility of the forthcoming governorship election depends largely on the neutrality of all federal institutions, particularly security and anti-corruption agencies, whose constitutional responsibility is to enforce the law without fear or favour.
We wish to state unequivocally that anti-corruption agencies must never be perceived as instruments for prosecuting political battles or influencing electoral outcomes. Any action capable of creating such an impression would not only damage public confidence in the institutions involved but also constitute a serious threat to Nigeria’s democratic development.
It is particularly disturbing that any attempt to freeze the accounts of a serving state government, if carried out at this critical period, would have far-reaching humanitarian and economic consequences. Such an action could disrupt the payment of workers’ salaries, pensions, healthcare services, education funding and other essential government obligations upon which millions of innocent citizens depend for their daily survival.
Electioneering must never become a justification for denying ordinary citizens access to basic public services. The people of Osun State must not become collateral victims of political contests between competing interests.
Similarly, targeting the personal accounts of political actors without due process, particularly within the tense atmosphere preceding a major election, risks creating unnecessary political tension, deepening mistrust and undermining public confidence in the integrity of the electoral process.
We therefore call on all relevant authorities to ensure that every action taken before, during and after the election strictly complies with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the principles of due process, fairness and respect for democratic institutions.
The Coalition wishes to put all concerned authorities on notice that Nigerian citizens, civil society organizations and defenders of democracy will not remain silent should any unconstitutional action capable of destabilizing Osun State be undertaken. Every legitimate and lawful democratic means available under the Constitution will be explored to defend democratic governance, protect the rights of the people and preserve peace and stability in the state.
We equally appeal to the international community, election observer missions, diplomatic partners and all lovers of democracy to closely monitor developments in Osun State in the days leading to the governorship election and encourage all stakeholders to uphold democratic norms, constitutional governance and peaceful electoral conduct.
Finally, we urge all political parties and their supporters to remain peaceful, law-abiding and committed to democratic engagement. Elections should be won through persuasion, popular support and the votes of the electorate, not through intimidation, administrative actions or the misuse of public institutions.
The Coalition remains resolute in its commitment to defending democracy, constitutional governance and the sovereign right of the people of Osun State to freely elect leaders of their choice without fear, intimidation or undue interference.
Yours Sincerely,
Comrade Chief Declan Ihekiare
National Coordinator
Coalition of Pro-democracy Organizations
