Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has accused his predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola, of orchestrating the freezing of the state government’s bank account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), a move he claims was based on false information fed to the anti-graft agency. The allegation was made during the Arise TV Town Hall programme focused on the upcoming Osun governorship election, where Adeleke detailed what he described as political sabotage aimed at undermining his administration.
Adeleke stated that Oyetola, now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, told the EFCC that President Bola Tinubu had personally directed the agency to freeze the state’s funds. “I am sure he (Oyetola) told EFCC to freeze our account, that Mr. President said it should be frozen,” the governor said, emphasizing that the claim was baseless and politically motivated. He further revealed that the situation took a dramatic turn when President Tinubu himself called him directly, expressing embarrassment over the development.
According to Adeleke, the president conveyed his dismay, saying it was unacceptable for such actions to occur under his watch. “When Mr President called, a lot of people were shocked. Because when Mr President called, he said he was embarrassed. He said it is not acceptable because I told him, the President, that he would not want democracy to go down; he wants a free and fair election,” the governor recounted. This intervention, Adeleke insisted, led to the swift unfreezing of the state’s accounts.
The governor also alleged that Oyetola leveraged his close relationship with President Tinubu to advance personal political ambitions in Osun State. He suggested that Oyetola, who lost the 2022 gubernatorial election to Adeleke, remains bitter and is attempting to destabilize the current administration through indirect means. Adeleke emphasized that such tactics are not only unethical but also dangerous to democratic processes in Nigeria.
As Osun prepares for the next governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026, Adeleke is seeking re-election under the Accord Party. His campaign appears to be framed around transparency, accountability, and resistance to political interference. The recent controversy over the account freeze has become a central issue in his narrative, highlighting what he describes as ongoing efforts to weaken his leadership.
Observers note that the accusations have intensified political tensions ahead of the 2026 polls, raising questions about governance, inter-party relations, and presidential influence in state affairs. As the story unfolds, it underscores the importance of institutional integrity and the need for fair electoral practices across Nigeria’s political landscape.
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