President Bola Tinubu has directed the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to immediately take steps to vacate a court order freezing an account belonging to the Osun State Government.

In a personally signed statement issued on Thursday, the President said he was "deeply embarrassed" by the timing of the anti-graft agency's action, stressing that although the EFCC acted under a valid court order, the development could create the wrong impression ahead of the Osun State governorship election.

"Accordingly, I have directed the EFCC to immediately proceed to the court to vacate the order and discontinue whatever action it has instituted against the Osun State Government in this regard," Tinubu stated.

The President explained that the decision became necessary because actions taken by federal institutions are often attributed to him, regardless of whether he had prior knowledge of them.

He reiterated his longstanding policy of allowing anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies to operate independently and without political interference.

"Since assuming office in May 2023, I have consistently maintained that anti-corruption and law enforcement agencies must be allowed to discharge their statutory responsibilities independently, professionally, without fear or favour, or political interference," Tinubu said.

He added that he has deliberately refrained from interfering in the operational activities of the EFCC and other investigative agencies because he believes that strong democratic institutions operating within the law are essential for good governance and the rule of law.

However, Tinubu said the circumstances surrounding the case warranted his intervention.

According to him, although he was yet to receive the full details of the matter, the timing of the EFCC's action was "inauspicious," especially as Osun State is only days away from its governorship election.

"Nothing ought to be done to give an impression that the EFCC or indeed any other agency of the Federal Government is being used to interfere with the election," the President said.

The directive comes amid heightened political tension in Osun State, where the governorship election is scheduled to hold in the coming days.