The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of plotting to freeze the bank accounts of the Osun State Government just days before the August 15 governorship election, describing the alleged move as an attempt to cripple his administration ahead of the poll.
The governor warned that any decision to block the state’s accounts would disrupt government activities, affect public services and amount to what he described as an abuse of power.
The allegation was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi.
According to the statement, Adeleke raised the issue during a meeting held at the Government House in Osogbo on Tuesday, where he allegedly informed government officials of what he described as a plan by the anti-graft agency to freeze not only the state’s accounts but also those belonging to senior officials of his administration.
Reacting to the alleged development, the governor maintained that the EFCC lacked the legal authority to freeze the accounts of a state government.
He argued that such an action would have no legal justification and would amount to a dangerous abuse of power.
According to the statement, Adeleke said the alleged move was designed to paralyse government operations at a critical period when the state is preparing for a governorship election.
“The plot to freeze the state government accounts is meant to paralyse government activities ahead of the governorship election,” the statement quoted the governor as saying.
The governor further insisted that no law empowers the anti-graft agency to freeze the accounts of a state government under the circumstances alleged.
“The governor affirmed that there is no legal basis or justification for any move to freeze the state government accounts, declaring that the anti-graft agency has no legal powers to freeze the account of a state government,” the statement added.
As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not issued any official response to the allegations.
When contacted, the commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said he would respond later but had yet to provide any official reaction.
The commission has also not confirmed or denied the existence of any investigation involving the Osun State Government or plans to freeze its accounts.
Political Tension Builds Ahead Of Osun Poll
The allegation comes as political activities intensify ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
Adeleke is seeking another four-year term on the platform of the Accord Party, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) is campaigning to reclaim the state after spending the last four years in opposition.
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The campaign season has witnessed increasing political tension, with reports of violent clashes involving supporters of the major political parties in different parts of the state.
The latest accusation also follows Adeleke’s recent appeal to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in what he described as escalating political violence across Osun State.
Speaking at a campaign rally in Olorunda Local Government Area earlier this week, the governor warned against a repeat of the political unrest that rocked parts of the South-West during the Second Republic in 1983.
He argued that the recent endorsement of President Tinubu’s re-election by the Accord Party in Osun should encourage the Federal Government to guarantee peace and ensure a credible electoral process.
According to Adeleke, the priority should be protecting innocent residents and preserving the integrity of the election.
“All we are asking for is simply a free and fair election,” the governor said.
The EFCC is yet to publicly comment on Adeleke’s latest allegations.