Popular Arise Television anchor Rufai Oseni has stated that the recent decision to unfreeze the Osun State Government`s bank accounts is a futile attempt at damage control, as the anti-graft agency has already achieved its core objective of destroying the state`s reputation.

Speaking on The Morning Show on Friday, Oseni argued that the controversy surrounding the initial freezing had successfully weaponised a corruption narrative against the state government. He maintained that no subsequent reversal by the Federal Government or the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) could undo the severe political and public relations damage already inflicted.

Oseni strongly criticised the handling of the situation, warning that it reflects deeply rooted systemic issues within Nigeria`s public institutions. He drew a direct parallel to international political history, comparing the EFCC`s actions to former FBI Director James Comey’s controversial handling of the Hillary Clinton email investigation just days before the 2016 U.S. presidential election.

"I was telling [EFCC spokesperson] Wilson Uwujaren yesterday that the EFCC has already achieved its aim. Even if the President reverses this, the damage stands," Oseni asserted. "They have already blackmailed the state government. This is exactly what happened between James Comey and Hillary Clinton leading up to the 2016 elections."

The broadcaster further emphasised that the psychological impact on the electorate and the general public cannot be erased by simply unlocking the state`s funds. According to Oseni, the political opposition and institutional actors have already achieved their goal by shaping permanent public perception.

To back his claim, Oseni pointed out that digital data and internet search algorithms have already been heavily skewed against the state. A simple search linking Osun State with "frozen account" and "corruption allegations" yields widespread results, proving that the negative narrative has firmly taken root in the public consciousness.

"This reversal is a little too late because you had already blackmailed the candidates," Oseni concluded, noting that the institutional stigma will linger long after the administrative correction.