Osun Election Turmoil: EFCC Account Freeze, Allegations Fly as Adeleke, Oyetola Battle for Power
As Osun State gears up for its August 15 governorship election, political tensions are soaring amidst a flurry of accusations. Incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke and the APC trade allegations of violence, financial misconduct, and attempts to sway the poll, while the EFCC's alleged freezing of state accounts adds another layer of controversy to the heated contest.
The political landscape of Osun State is marked by heightened tensions and a flurry of accusations as the August 15 governorship election approaches. Incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party is vying for re-election against the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, setting the stage for a fiercely contested poll amidst allegations ranging from political violence to financial impropriety and attempts to influence the electoral process.
Governor Adeleke, during his campaign, openly blamed President Bola Tinubu and the immediate-past governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, for the political violence in the state. He urged President Tinubu not to overlook extrajudicial killings and warned against a repeat of the 1983 political crisis. In response, Senator Ajibola Bashiru, APC National Secretary, advised Adeleke to cease blaming party leaders for his "woes" and instead engage in an issue-based campaign if he genuinely had achievements to present. Bashiru attributed Adeleke's public outbursts to "fear of his imminent defeat," a sentiment echoed by Mogaji Kola Olabisi, APC’s Director of Media and Information, who further accused Adeleke of unnecessarily blaming Tinubu and Oyetola for his political challenges. The APC also questioned why a sitting governor would anticipate rigging 11 days before an election.
A significant development in the pre-election saga is Governor Adeleke's allegation that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) was planning, and subsequently executed, a freeze on Osun State government accounts and those of top government officials. The state’s Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, revealed Adeleke's concerns, stating the governor described the move as unlawful and an attempt to cripple government activities ahead of the election, asserting that the EFCC lacks the legal authority to freeze state government accounts. Reports later confirmed that an Osun State Government account with First Bank, reportedly used for salary payments, had indeed been placed on a "Post No Debit" status by the anti-graft agency. The EFCC has yet to publicly comment on these developments.
On the issue of security, Honourable Remi Omowaiye, Chairman of the Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council, strongly denied the party’s involvement in recent arrests within the state. He insisted that security agencies were apprehending criminal suspects, not innocent citizens, and commended the police for their actions. Omowaiye alleged that several aides of Governor Adeleke, including Nurudeen Alawonle, Arowolo Abiodun (a.k.a. Asipa Abe), and Oria, were arrested on criminal charges, some for brandishing weapons or leading communal violence. He further claimed that the state government, through its Attorney General, had withdrawn murder charges against individuals who had been on trial for years, effectively releasing them to allegedly terrorize the populace. Omowaiye maintained that APC members were the primary victims of violence, with over 30 party members reportedly killed, and accused Governor Adeleke of misleading the public.
The campaign council for Governor Adeleke countered these narratives, clarifying that the governor’s remarks were an appeal to President Bola Tinubu for intervention to ensure a peaceful, free, and fair election, rather than an