Presidency speaks on Tinubu sacking EFCC chairman over freezing of Osun Government account
The Presidency has dismissed reports that the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, could lose his position following the recent controversy surrounding the anti-graft agency’s action in Osun State.
The development came after President Bola Tinubu expressed displeasure over the EFCC’s handling and timing of the matter, with concerns raised about how the action could affect the political situation in the state ahead of the governorship election.
However, sources within the Presidency said there was no plan to remove Olukoyede from office, stressing that the President’s reaction was directed at the circumstances surrounding the EFCC’s action and the way it was perceived publicly.
The officials, who spoke privately to Punch because they were not authorised to discuss the matter publicly, said the President’s dissatisfaction should not be interpreted as an indication that he had lost confidence in the EFCC chairman.
One of the sources said Olukoyede remained in office and that Tinubu’s complaint about the EFCC’s move did not amount to an order for his removal.
Another source, who claimed to have spoken with Olukoyede on Wednesday night, also confirmed that the EFCC chairman remained in his position.
The source said disagreements between a political appointee and the President do not automatically result in dismissal, adding that the chairman’s handling of the controversy should not be treated as grounds for removing him.
The source further suggested that Olukoyede had become the main focus of criticism because the EFCC was responsible for the action that generated the controversy.
The clarification from the Presidency comes amid growing calls in some quarters for the EFCC chairman to resign over the dispute, particularly following the President’s decision to intervene in the matter.
The controversy has continued to attract political attention as preparations intensify for the Osun governorship election, with different political groups taking opposing positions on the EFCC’s conduct.
