President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately vacate the court order freezing the Osun State Government’s bank account, citing the need to protect the integrity of the state’s forthcoming governorship election.

In a statement issued on Thursday, Tinubu said he was embarrassed by the timing of the EFCC’s action, noting that although he supports the independence of anti-corruption agencies, every action of federal institutions is often attributed to the Presidency.

The President stressed that he had consistently allowed the EFCC and other agencies to operate independently without political interference but said the timing of the court order, obtained on August 5, was inappropriate as Osun is only days away from its governorship election.

Tinubu said nothing should create the impression that any federal agency is being used to influence the electoral process, adding that he had directed the EFCC to return to court, vacate the order and discontinue the action against the Osun State Government.

He reaffirmed his commitment to the rule of law, strong democratic institutions and free, fair and credible elections.