Social commentator Isaac Fayose, younger brother of former Ekiti State Governor Ayo Fayose, has criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over its decision to freeze the Osun State Government’s account, describing the action as selective and politically motivated.

Fayose made the comments in a video shared on his verified Facebook page on Wednesday, questioning why similar action was not taken against other states during election periods.

He specifically referenced the Ekiti State governorship election, alleging that the EFCC failed to intervene despite claims of widespread vote buying during the poll.

“How can you freeze a whole state account, putting about four million people into nonsense? Why didn’t you freeze Ekiti’s account in June? Why did you allow Ekiti to buy votes?” Fayose asked.

The EFCC had placed a Post No Debit (PND) restriction on an Osun State Government statutory allocation account domiciled with First Bank, preventing withdrawals as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial misconduct.

Fayose accused the anti-graft agency of applying different standards depending on the political circumstances surrounding states.

He alleged that some state governments aligned with the Federal Government had escaped similar scrutiny during election periods, while Osun State was being targeted ahead of its August 15 governorship election.

The commentator also raised concerns about the 2027 general election, alleging that political forces could attempt to influence the outcome.

He called on Nigerians to demand accountability from key institutions, including the leadership of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the EFCC.

“These people will come back if you keep quiet. The more you keep quiet, the more they do it,” he said.

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke had earlier challenged the EFCC’s decision, describing the restriction as unlawful because it was allegedly carried out without a court order.

The governor said he had directed the state Attorney-General to challenge the action at the Federal High Court in Osogbo.

The Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, also argued that while the EFCC has investigative powers over public funds, freezing a state government account without judicial approval raises legal concerns.

The EFCC, however, maintained that the action was based on an ongoing investigation and not connected to the forthcoming election.

The commission said it had been investigating the Osun State Government since March 2026 over alleged fraudulent handling of about ₦11 billion involving ecology funds, intervention funds and allocations from the Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC).

According to the EFCC, the investigation itself did not initially warrant freezing the accounts, but the agency said it detected what it described as suspicious movement of funds from government accounts beginning August 2.

The commission said the restriction was necessary to prevent further movement of funds under investigation.

The controversy has also attracted reactions from legal practitioners.

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, warned that restricting access to a state government’s accounts could affect governance and potentially amount to an abuse of power if not properly justified.

The dispute comes less than two weeks before the Osun State governorship election, where Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party is seeking re-election.

Presidential candidate of the Nigerian Democratic Congress (NDC), Peter Obi, and his running mate, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, have held discussions with the party’s national leader, Senator Seriake Dickson, amid concerns over internal divisions within the OK Movement ahead of the 2027 general election.

The meeting comes as the coalition of the Kwankwassiyya Movement and the Obidient Movement, which supports the Obi-Kwankwaso presidential ticket, faces reported leadership disagreements that have raised concerns among supporters and political observers.

Dickson, a former Bayelsa State governor, confirmed the meeting in a post on his official Facebook page, stating that he hosted Obi and Kwankwaso at his Abuja residence to discuss the state of the party and preparations for the upcoming election campaign.

According to Dickson, the discussions focused on strengthening the party’s structure and ensuring readiness ahead of the official campaign period expected to commence later this month.

“Our meeting focused on the positive state of affairs of our party and preparations for the forthcoming campaigns, which are expected to commence later this month,” Dickson stated.

The former governor also appealed to party members, supporters and stakeholders to remain united despite the challenges facing the movement.

“I call on all members, supporters and stakeholders of our great party to unite, remain steadfast and work together for victory for all candidates of our party,” he added.

The meeting follows reports of disagreements within the OK Movement, a political alliance formed around the support bases of Obi and Kwankwaso.

The coalition had been positioned as a major force ahead of the 2027 presidential election, combining Obi’s nationwide support network with Kwankwaso’s political influence, particularly in northern Nigeria.

However, emerging leadership tensions have prompted efforts by party leaders to strengthen internal coordination and maintain unity ahead of the election season.

The NDC leadership is expected to focus on consolidating its campaign structure as political activities intensify ahead of the 2027 polls.

Former Senator representing Kogi West, Dino Melaye, has cautioned President Bola Ahmed Tinubu against assuming victory in the 2027 presidential election is guaranteed, drawing a comparison with the late former military Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha.

Melaye, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), made the remarks on Wednesday in a post published on his official X account, where he argued that political endorsements alone do not determine a leader’s destiny.

According to the former lawmaker, the late Gen. Abacha had secured the endorsement of all five registered political parties during Nigeria’s military era and appeared set to transition into a civilian president before his sudden death in June 1998.

“There is a God factor in the affairs of men. Tinubu does not understand this. Abacha was endorsed by all the five political parties at that time.

“There was no contest. He was already cruising to become a civilian president. God picked His phone and called Abacha.

“When God calls you, there is no network failure. That God has not gone on omugo, Tinubu watch it,” Melaye wrote.

The comments come amid heightened political activities ahead of the 2027 general election, as political parties continue consultations, realignments and preparations for the official campaign season.

Melaye’s remarks also follow a series of statements from politicians, religious leaders and public figures offering differing assessments of President Tinubu’s chances of securing a second term.

The Presidency has not responded to Melaye’s latest comments.

General Sani Abacha served as Nigeria’s Head of State from 1993 until his death in 1998. Before his death, the country’s five registered political parties had adopted him as their sole presidential candidate, although the planned transition to civilian rule was never completed.