Osun EFCC Accounts controversy grows as Governor Ademola Adeleke alleges the EFCC plans to freeze state government accounts before the election.
The Osun EFCC Accounts controversy has intensified after Governor Ademola Adeleke alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) plans to freeze Osun State government bank accounts ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Governor Adeleke described the alleged plan as illegal. He warned that freezing the accounts could disrupt government activities only days before residents vote.
The Osun EFCC Accounts allegation was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday. Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, signed the statement.
According to Alimi, Governor Adeleke made the allegation during a meeting at the Government House in Osogbo on Tuesday. The commissioner claimed the anti-graft agency also planned to freeze the accounts of top government officials.
Speaking on the Osun EFCC Accounts issue, Adeleke described the alleged action as “the height of lawlessness.” He argued that the move was designed to weaken his administration before the governorship election.
The governor also insisted that the EFCC has no legal authority to freeze the bank accounts of a state government. He maintained that there was no legal basis for the alleged action.
According to the statement, the Osun EFCC Accounts plan was intended to paralyse government operations before voters head to the polls. Adeleke said such an action would affect governance and public service delivery.
As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not issued an official response. Efforts to obtain the commission’s reaction were unsuccessful.
When contacted, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said he would respond later. However, no official statement had been released at the time of publication.
The Osun EFCC Accounts controversy comes as political campaigns intensify across the state. Adeleke is seeking another four-year term on the platform of the Accord Party, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) hopes to reclaim the governorship.
Political tension has continued to rise ahead of the election. Supporters of the major political parties have reportedly clashed in several parts of Osun State.
Earlier this week, Adeleke appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the growing political violence. He warned against a repeat of the political crisis that affected parts of the South-West in 1983.
The governor also argued that the Accord Party’s endorsement of President Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid should encourage the Federal Government to guarantee peace in the state.
Concluding his appeal, Adeleke called for a peaceful electoral process. He said the priority remains a free, fair, and credible election for the people of Osun.
The Osun EFCC Accounts allegation is expected to remain a major talking point as political activities continue ahead of the governorship election.
