ACCORD PARTY URGES EFCC CHAIRMAN TO RESIGN OVER OSUN ACCOUNT CONTROVERSY
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By:Tajudeen Aminat
The Accord Party has commended President Bola Tinubu for directing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to unfreeze the Osun State Government’s bank accounts, while calling for the immediate resignation of the commission’s Chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
The party said that if Olukoyede refuses to step down, President Tinubu should remove him from office to restore public confidence in the anti-graft agency.
The National Chairman of Accord, Chief Maxwell Mgbudem, made the call on Friday during a world press conference at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
Mgbudem described Tinubu’s intervention as timely, saying it helped address growing concerns over the EFCC’s decision to freeze the state’s accounts ahead of the August 15 Osun governorship election.
“Accord welcomes President Tinubu’s timely intervention in this critical national issue and urges security agencies, anti-graft commissions, the electoral umpire and other democratic institutions to strictly adhere to their statutory responsibilities and democratic principles,” he said.
The party accused the EFCC leadership of acting in a partisan manner and claimed the commission’s actions had undermined confidence in its neutrality.
According to Mgbudem, the party no longer has confidence in the current leadership of the anti-corruption agency.
“Having demonstrated unprecedented partisanship in Osun State politics and brought the nation into disrepute, Accord demands the immediate resignation of the EFCC chairman.
“For embarrassing the President, the government, the people of Osun State and Nigerians, the EFCC chairman should honourably resign. If he refuses, President Tinubu should dismiss him immediately to restore the integrity of the commission,” he said.
He stressed that no individual should be treated as untouchable in efforts to strengthen the country’s anti-corruption institutions and democratic system.
The Accord chairman also urged security agencies and other institutions involved in the Osun governorship election to remain impartial and operate within the law.
“An election is not a war. Federal institutions should not be used to intimidate, suppress or oppress political opponents in favour of any political party,” he said.
Mgbudem further called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free, fair, credible and transparent election, while urging the commission to ensure all electoral materials are properly tested before the poll.
He also appealed to election observers, civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association, the media, development partners and opposition parties to remain vigilant against actions capable of undermining the credibility of the election.
In addition, the Accord leader urged security agencies to remain professional by focusing on protecting lives and property rather than influencing the electoral process.
He appealed to President Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to release the remaining 60 Accord members the party claimed are being detained in Abuja, Osun and Nasarawa states, arguing that their release would help ease political tension ahead of the election.
Mgbudem also encouraged Osun residents to participate peacefully in the August 15 governorship election, insisting that every lawful vote should count.
The EFCC’s decision to freeze the Osun State Government’s statutory accounts on Wednesday sparked widespread criticism.
The commission defended its action, maintaining that it acted within its legal powers and could freeze accounts suspected to be linked to financial crimes for up to 72 hours before obtaining a court order for an extension.
President Tinubu later directed the EFCC to return to court and vacate the order freezing the state’s accounts, noting that actions taken by federal agencies are often attributed to the Presidency, whether or not he had prior knowledge of them.
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