Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has accused his predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola, of orchestrating the freezing of the state government’s accounts by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission. Adeleke made the allegation during a televised town hall meeting on Arise TV focused on the state’s governorship politics.
According to Adeleke, Oyetola — who currently serves as Minister of Marine and Blue Economy — directed the anti-graft agency to freeze the accounts while claiming President Bola Tinubu had ordered the action. “I am sure he told EFCC to freeze our account, that Mr. President said it should be frozen,” Adeleke stated.
The governor said the situation shifted after Tinubu personally contacted him. Adeleke recounted that the president expressed embarrassment over the move, describing it as unacceptable. “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,” Adeleke said.
Adeleke further alleged that Oyetola has leveraged his proximity to the presidency to pursue political interests in Osun, suggesting the former governor has yet to accept his defeat in the last governorship contest. The remarks underscore lingering tensions between the two politicians ahead of the next electoral cycle.
Adeleke is seeking a second four-year term under the Accord Party banner in the governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026. The account freeze controversy adds a new dimension to the buildup to that contest, with implications for federal-state relations and the perceived independence of anti-corruption agencies in politically sensitive environments.
