Adebayo Defends EFCC, Blames Tinubu For Osun Crisis

Social Democratic Party presidential candidate Prince Adewole Adebayo has said President Bola Tinubu, not the EFCC chairman, Olanipekun Olukoyede, should resign over the freezing and unfreezing of Osun State government accounts.

Speaking at a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Adebayo said the presidency’s directive to the EFCC constituted interference in a legal process was an impeachable act.

He argued that the commission operates under judicial supervision and must be allowed to function independently.

“I have always supported law enforcement from Nuhu Ribadu to the present EFCC chairman, the buck stops at the table of the President, however, the confusion in Osun may be caused by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.” he said

The SDP candidate explained that if Osun State believed its account was wrongly frozen, the proper channel was the courts.

He noted that the Attorney General of Osun could file an urgent application or approach the Supreme Court for interpretation on whether a sovereign state’s account can be frozen by a federal agency.

Adebayo stressed that the case of SDP National Secretary, Dr. Olu Agunloye, who obtained a judgment against the EFCC, as proof that legal safeguards exist.

He also recalled the SDP’s experience with police invasion of its national secretariat, saying rather than demand the IGP’s resignation, the party pursued legal redress and was reinstated by the same police.

“Institutions must be strengthened, not vilified.” he stated

Adebayo described the Tinubu administration as lacking direction and accountability.

He further said that every error by the government is compounded by worse explanations, creating daily crises with “no head, no tail.”

The SDP flagbearer defended the North against narratives of failure, calling it a powerhouse.

Addressing talks of a G-100 coalition for a single presidential candidate in 2027, Adebayo said the Constitution already provides for one president.

He urged Nigerians across parties to unite to ensure Tinubu does not return, adding that even within APC and the Villa, the president would lose a free election today.

“SDP government would empower the EFCC to act without political directives. When we come to government, the EFCC chairman will not be disturbed. He will freeze anything he wants to freeze within the law,” he said.