Osun Guber: Adeleke accuses Oyetola of ordering EFCC to freeze state account

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has accused his predecessor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, 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 Saturday’s election, accusing Oyetola of allegedly using his relationship with President Bola Tinubu and federal institutions to exert pressure on his administration.

The governor claimed that Oyetola had made various demands while allegedly telling government agencies that President Tinubu had directed them to act.

“I am sure he (Oyetola) told EFCC to freeze our account, that Mr President said it should be frozen,” Adeleke alleged.

According to the governor, the situation changed after Tinubu personally contacted him over the matter.

Adeleke claimed that the President expressed shock and embarrassment when he became aware of the development.

“So, when Mr President called, a lot of people were shocked. Because 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 Accuses Oyetola of Using ‘Federal Might’

The governor further accused Oyetola of allegedly exploiting his relationship with Tinubu to pursue political interests in Osun State.

Adeleke claimed that his predecessor had yet to overcome his defeat in the 2022 governorship election, in which he lost the governorship to Adeleke.

“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,” Adeleke alleged.

Oyetola and Adeleke have remained political rivals since the 2022 election, when Adeleke defeated Oyetola, who was then the incumbent governor.

The latest exchange comes amid heightened political tension in Osun ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, with Adeleke seeking another four-year term under the Accord Party.

The allegation against Oyetola has not been independently established, and Oyetola was not quoted in the discussion responding to the claim.