Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says a Federal High Court judgment delivered in Ibadan on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, vindicates his administration’s decision to challenge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over what he describes as a “fishing expedition” into the state’s financial records.

Writing in the 142nd edition of his newsletter, Makinde recounts that the dispute traces back to his April 2025 interview on Channels Television, in which he spoke of having the capacity to occupy the presidency without formally declaring a candidacy. He says the comment nonetheless triggered swift political reactions, including a public warning from an APC chieftain days after the party endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its sole 2027 candidate.

The governor states that on 2 June 2025 — a day after that warning — the EFCC wrote to the Oyo State Accountant-General demanding copies of every government contract and payment record to contractors between 2021 and the date of the letter, without naming any contractor, company or specific transaction under investigation. He says the state asked the Commission to identify what it was investigating so relevant documents could be provided, but received no response, prompting Oyo State to approach the courts.

Justice Nkeonye Maha, delivering judgment, affirmed the EFCC’s constitutional authority to investigate financial crimes but held that such powers must be exercised within the law. The court described the Commission’s demand on Oyo State as speculative and unconnected to any specific allegation, ruling that requests for information must be reasonable and tied to identified wrongdoing.

Makinde declines to speculate on the motive behind the EFCC letter but says Nigerians can draw their own conclusions from the timeline. He insists the judgment is “not a victory against the EFCC” but one for the rule of law, stressing that his administration has never claimed to be beyond legitimate scrutiny.
The governor uses the newsletter to also respond to speculation that he entered the presidential race merely to negotiate a future step-down.

“I did not step forward in order to step down. I am going forward,” he says, citing Oyo State’s governance record as evidence that “practical, people-centred governance is possible” nationally.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State says a Federal High Court judgment delivered in Ibadan on Wednesday, 22 July 2026, vindicates his administration’s decision to challenge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over what he describes as a “fishing expedition” into the state’s financial records.

Writing in the 142nd edition of his newsletter, Makinde recounts that the dispute traces back to his April 2025 interview on Channels Television, in which he spoke of having the capacity to occupy the presidency without formally declaring a candidacy. He says the comment nonetheless triggered swift political reactions, including a public warning from an APC chieftain days after the party endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as its sole 2027 candidate.

The governor states that on 2 June 2025 — a day after that warning — the EFCC wrote to the Oyo State Accountant-General demanding copies of every government contract and payment record to contractors between 2021 and the date of the letter, without naming any contractor, company or specific transaction under investigation. He says the state asked the Commission to identify what it was investigating so relevant documents could be provided, but received no response, prompting Oyo State to approach the courts.

Justice Nkeonye Maha, delivering judgment, affirmed the EFCC’s constitutional authority to investigate financial crimes but held that such powers must be exercised within the law. The court described the Commission’s demand on Oyo State as speculative and unconnected to any specific allegation, ruling that requests for information must be reasonable and tied to identified wrongdoing.

Makinde declines to speculate on the motive behind the EFCC letter but says Nigerians can draw their own conclusions from the timeline. He insists the judgment is “not a victory against the EFCC” but one for the rule of law, stressing that his administration has never claimed to be beyond legitimate scrutiny.
The governor uses the newsletter to also respond to speculation that he entered the presidential race merely to negotiate a future step-down.

“I did not step forward in order to step down. I am going forward,” he says, citing Oyo State’s governance record as evidence that “practical, people-centred governance is possible” nationally.