Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has accused his predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola, of leveraging his familial ties to President Bola Tinubu to instigate federal agency actions against the state government ahead of the recent governorship election. Adeleke disclosed that President Tinubu intervened to halt the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) freeze on a state government account after expressing concerns about electoral interference.
The EFCC froze an Osun State Government account in August as part of an investigation into alleged mismanagement of approximately N11 billion, citing suspicious fund movements. The commission restricted the account to prevent further transactions. However, President Tinubu directed the EFCC to return to court to lift the order and cease related actions, worried the timing suggested a federal agency was being used to meddle in the election.
In a Sunday interview on Channels Television, Adeleke stated the president was unaware of most such matters due to extensive foreign responsibilities. He revealed that some of his aides, including his spokesperson, were summoned by the EFCC but released without evidence of wrongdoing. Adeleke characterized the invitations as a diversion tactic orchestrated by Oyetola, who is Tinubu’s cousin. “All these things is Oyetola because he is the cousin to the President. He is dropping the President’s name. I know that the President didn’t know about the EFCC one. That is why he had to call me and stop it,” Adeleke said.
Adeleke secured re-election with 511,067 votes, defeating All Progressives Congress candidate Bola Oyebamiji, who garnered 444,815 votes. African Democratic Congress candidate Najeem Salaam placed third with 17,180 votes. Adeleke won in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji prevailed in 11.
The episode underscores tensions between state and federal institutions in Nigeria’s electoral landscape. Adeleke’s allegations highlight concerns about the potential misuse of anti-corruption agencies for political leverage. As the governor begins his second term, the resolution of the EFCC investigation and the dynamics between the presidency and opposition-led states will remain focal points for governance and accountability in Osun State.
