Politics
Accord Party demands EFCC boss’ resignation as Tinubu reverse
ACCORD Party has called for the immediate resignation of the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, following President Bola Tinubu’s directive ordering the EFCC to unfreeze the Osun State Government’s accounts.
Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Friday, Accord National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, said that if Olukoyede failed to resign voluntarily, Tinubu should sack him to restore public confidence in the country’s anti-corruption fight.
“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.
He said the party had lost confidence in the current leadership of the EFCC, accusing the commission of exhibiting political bias in the lead-up to the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
He noted that the commission’s action had embarrassed the Presidency, undermined public trust in the anti-corruption agency and projected Nigeria negatively.
“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,” he said.
He added that Olukoyede should toe the path of honour by resigning, insisting that Tinubu should dismiss him if he failed to do so. According to him, no individual should be treated as untouchable in efforts to strengthen democratic institutions and preserve the credibility of Nigeria’s anti-corruption framework.
Mgbudem urged security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other institutions involved in the Osun election to remain neutral and discharge their constitutional responsibilities professionally.
“Electoral contest is not warfare. It should not be militarised by deploying federal apparatus to suppress, subdue and oppress political opponents and their supporters to favour a party that has been rejected by the people,” he said.
He further appealed to election observers, civil society organisations, the Nigerian Bar Association, development partners and the media to remain vigilant against actions capable of undermining the credibility of the poll.
Mgbudem also called on Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to facilitate the release of about 60 Accord members allegedly detained in Abuja, Osun and Nasarawa states, arguing that their release would ease political tension ahead of the poll.
The latest demand comes a day after Tinubu directed the EFCC to immediately return to court and vacate the order restricting transactions on Osun State Government’s statutory allocation accounts.
Tinubu said although he had not been fully briefed on the circumstances surrounding the investigation into the alleged diversion of about N11 billion in Ecology Funds, Intervention Funds and Federal Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) allocations that led to the accunts freeze, the timing of the restriction barely days before the August 15 governorship election was inappropriate, he stated.
The president said no action by any federal institution should create the impression that the Federal Government was seeking to influence the outcome of the poll.
The developments have heightened political tensions ahead of the election, with debates continuing over the independence of anti-corruption agencies and the need to safeguard public confidence in the electoral process.
Like Tinubu, many Nigerians on social media expressed concerns over the timing of the EFCC’s action and its potential impact on the credibility of the poll.
Some users on X urged Olukoyede to resign immediately, arguing that his continued stay in office suggested he was acting under undue influence. While others accused the EFCC chairman of presiding over what they described as a decline in the commission’s credibility, alleging that the anti-graft agency had become a tool for political score-settling rather than an impartial institution committed to fighting corruption.
Users, including Samuel Omogor alleged that the commission had selectively targeted opposition-controlled states and called on Olukoyede to step aside.
Similar sentiments were echoed on Facebook, where several users questioned the EFCC chairman’s leadership following Tinubu’s directive reversing the commission’s action.
Gbenga Shoyemi argued that if the president truly had no prior knowledge of the account restriction, Olukoyede should be removed for bringing embarrassment to Nigeria’s democratic system.
Onatoye Temitope Michael, questioned the EFCC chairman’s integrity and competence.
Nanji is an investigative journalist with the ICIR. She has years of experience in reporting and broadcasting human angle stories, gender inequalities, minority stories, and human rights issues. She has documented sexual war crimes in armed conflict, sex for grades in Nigerian Universities, harmful traditional practices and human trafficking.