ABUJA, Nigeria (FN) — Nigeria’s Accord Party has called for the resignation of Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman Ola Olukoyede, accusing the anti-corruption agency of acting with political bias after it froze bank accounts belonging to the Osun State government.
The party also praised President Bola Tinubu for directing the EFCC to unfreeze the accounts, describing the intervention as timely and necessary to protect democratic institutions.
Accord National Chairman Chief Maxwell Mgbudem made the comments Friday during a news conference at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja.
“Accord welcomes President Tinubu’s timely intervention in this critical national issue and urges security agencies, anti-graft commissions, the electoral umpire and relevant democratic institutions to strictly abide by their rules of engagement, statutory duties and democratic ethics,” Mgbudem said.
The party said it had lost confidence in the leadership of the EFCC, alleging that the commission’s actions had shown partisanship in Osun State politics ahead of the Aug. 15 governorship election.
“Having demonstrated unprecedented partisanship in Osun State politics, assaulted the sensibilities of fellow compatriots and brought the nation to ridicule and disrepute before the international community, Accord has lost confidence in the current leadership of the EFCC,” Mgbudem said.
He called on Olukoyede to resign voluntarily, adding that Tinubu should remove him if he refuses.
“For embarrassing the President, the government and people of Osun State, and fellow citizens, the EFCC chairman should toe the path of honour and tender his resignation,” he said.
The EFCC has not publicly responded to Accord’s demand.
The dispute follows the commission’s decision to freeze Osun State government accounts, a move that triggered political controversy and raised questions about the role of federal institutions during election periods.
The EFCC is Nigeria’s main agency responsible for investigating financial crimes, including corruption, fraud and money laundering. The agency has frequently faced public debate over allegations of political influence, with successive governments defending its independence while critics have called for stronger safeguards.
Mgbudem urged security agencies, electoral authorities and other government institutions involved in the Osun election process to remain neutral and operate within the law.
“Electoral contest is not warfare. It should not be militarised by deploying federal apparatus to suppress, subdue and oppress political opponents and their supporters,” he said.
The controversy comes as Nigeria prepares for another important electoral period, with political parties increasing scrutiny of government institutions and their role in democratic processes.
Political analysts say disputes involving anti-corruption agencies and elections can affect public confidence in democratic institutions, particularly in countries where concerns about institutional independence remain a major political issue.
Government supporters have argued that agencies such as the EFCC must be allowed to investigate financial misconduct without political interference, while opposition groups have repeatedly called for greater transparency and accountability in their operations.
The Tinubu administration has previously said it remains committed to fighting corruption and strengthening Nigeria’s institutions, while critics have continued to demand clearer separation between law enforcement agencies and political activities.
Nigeria’s anti-corruption agencies have played a central role in the country’s political landscape since the return to democratic rule in 1999. The EFCC was established in 2003 to investigate economic crimes and has prosecuted several high-profile corruption cases involving politicians, business leaders and public officials.
However, the agency has also faced repeated criticism from civil society groups and opposition parties over claims of selective enforcement and political influence. Successive governments have denied using the commission for political purposes and have maintained that its investigations are based on evidence.
The dispute involving the Osun State accounts reflects a broader debate in Nigeria and other democracies about balancing anti-corruption enforcement with institutional independence and political neutrality.
