Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has accused his predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola, of being behind the freezing of the state government’s account by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Adeleke made the allegation on Tuesday during the Arise Town Hall for Osun governorship candidates ahead of the August 15 election.
The governor alleged that Oyetola, who currently serves as Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, had been using his relationship with President Bola Tinubu and federal institutions to put pressure on his administration.
Adeleke specifically claimed that Oyetola instructed the EFCC to freeze the state’s account while allegedly presenting the action as a directive from President Tinubu.
“I am sure he (Oyetola) told EFCC to freeze our account, that Mr President said it should be frozen,” Adeleke alleged.
Adeleke Says Tinubu Intervened
The governor said the situation changed after President Tinubu personally contacted him, claiming that the President expressed shock and embarrassment over the development.
“When Mr President called, he said he was embarrassed. He said it is not acceptable,” Adeleke said.
According to him, Tinubu also assured him that he wanted the Osun governorship election to be free and fair and would not want anything to undermine the democratic process.
Adeleke further accused Oyetola of using his closeness to the President to pursue political interests in Osun.
“Oyetola is feeling that pain of defeat. He is only using the President to vow that he will destroy Osun State. He is using federal might,” the governor alleged.
Adeleke and Oyetola have remained political rivals since the 2022 Osun governorship election, which Adeleke won after defeating Oyetola, who was then the incumbent governor.
Adeleke is seeking another four-year term in the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
Source: Arise Town Hall.
