Post by John Okiyi Kalu (@JOK)
EFCC Should Define “Suspicious Activity”
The EFCC owes Nigerians a clear explanation of the “suspicious activity” it claims to have detected in the Osun State Government’s First Bank account before freezing it just 10 days to the governorship election.
To the best of my knowledge, there has been no allegation that funds were transferred from that account to private individuals. Rather, reports suggest the state government intended to use the funds to pay palliatives to workers, with the argument that such payments could make beneficiaries more favourably disposed towards the incumbent. If the funds were genuinely meant for verified, payroll-based workers, that is neither illegal nor inherently suspicious, even during an election period. It is also worth noting that the state government continues to operate other bank accounts without restriction.
While I acknowledge the EFCC’s mandate to prevent corruption, I find the timing of this action deeply troubling. The Osun election is already overshadowed by allegations of the deployment of “federal might” to intimidate the state government, including unresolved claims of bias against the Commissioner of Police. In the interest of democratic fairness, I believe the Police Service Commission and the Inspector-General of Police should have redeployed the Commissioner pending the resolution of those allegations.
The EFCC’s spokesman also cited the Edo precedent earlier today on Arise TV. However, that comparison is misplaced. The 2024 Edo governorship election was held on 21 September 2024, while the EFCC only moved against the state’s accounts in early November—after the election but before the inauguration of Governor-elect Monday Okpebholo on 12 November. Although I question the legality of freezing a state’s account, given the constitutional autonomy of states, that action at least occurred after the election and was presented as a crime-prevention measure.
Not long ago, there was also controversy over the release of local government allocations to Osun, with allegations that the Federal Government favoured officials aligned with the APC over those recognised by the state government.
Taken together, these developments create the appearance of federal interference in the Osun election. That perception is damaging to our democracy and should concern every Nigerian, regardless of political affiliation.
States are constitutionally autonomous, not subordinate to the Federal Government. The federation exists because the states exist. Whenever federal agencies appear to intervene in the affairs of a state in a manner that could influence an electoral outcome, or for reasons outside their constitutional mandate, such actions deserve scrutiny and, where appropriate, condemnation. Today it is Osun; tomorrow it could be Lagos, Abia, or any other state.
If the APC wishes to win the Osun election, it should do so by persuading the majority of voters—not through the perceived deployment of federal might.
For the sake of democracy, let Osun breathe.
– JOK
06/08/2026
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