Osun Account: Accord Demands EFCC Chairman’s Resignation

The National Chairman of Accord, Chief Maxwell Mgbudem, has commended President Bola Tinubu for directing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to reverse the freezing of the Osun State Government’s bank accounts, while calling for the immediate resignation of the anti-graft agency’s chairman over the incident.

Addressing a press conference at the party’s national secretariat in Abuja yesterday, Mgbudem alleged that the EFCC’s decision to freeze the state’s accounts ahead of the August 15 governorship election was unconstitutional and capable of undermining Nigeria’s democratic process.

He said the party had lost confidence in the current leadership of the EFCC, insisting that the chairman should resign or be removed by the President.

“The EFCC chairman should toe the path of honour and tender his resignation. If he fails to resign, President Tinubu should sack him immediately to restore the integrity of the anti-graft agency,” he said.

Mgbudem further alleged that the EFCC’s action embarrassed the President and damaged Nigeria’s international image, describing it as an abuse of statutory powers.

The Accord chairman, however, praised President Tinubu for what he described as a swift intervention that reversed the agency’s directive.

He urged all security agencies, anti-corruption bodies and democratic institutions to remain impartial and operate strictly within the provisions of the Constitution and other relevant laws.

Speaking on the forthcoming Osun governorship election, Mgbudem cautioned some security agencies and political opponents against allegedly harassing and intimidating Accord members and supporters in the state.

He alleged that several party members had been killed, injured, arrested or intimidated, while party offices and campaign materials were attacked.

He also appealed to President Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police to facilitate the release of about 60 Accord members allegedly detained in Abuja, Osun and Nasarawa states.

According to him, their release would help ease political tension ahead of the election.

Mgbudem urged the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a free, fair, credible and transparent governorship election, stressing that the poll would serve as an important test ahead of the 2027 general elections.

On the governorship contest, the Accord chairman expressed confidence that Governor Ademola Adeleke deserved another term in office, citing what he described as the governor’s transformational leadership and developmental achievements.