Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has raised a serious alarm over what he described as credible reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has concluded plans to freeze all state government accounts and those of top government functionaries ahead of the August 15 governorship election. The allegation, contained in a statement issued on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, on behalf of the governor, warned that such a move would cripple governance and disrupt the administration's activities barely days before the poll.
According to the statement, the state government received credible reports that the anti-graft agency had concluded plans to freeze all Osun State Government accounts. The governor also alleged that the EFCC was planning to freeze the accounts of top government functionaries, a move that would disrupt government operations in the days leading to the governorship election. Adeleke described the alleged plan as "the height of lawlessness," insisting that any attempt to freeze the state's accounts would be aimed at paralysing government activities before residents go to the polls on August 15. The governor maintained that there was no legal basis or justification for any push to freeze the state government accounts, declaring that the anti-graft agency had no legal powers to freeze the account of a state government.
Adeleke argued that the alleged action would have far-reaching consequences for governance, maintaining that freezing the accounts of the state government would effectively halt public administration, delay the execution of government programmes and affect the delivery of essential services to residents. He contended that the alleged move was politically motivated and timed to coincide with the countdown to the August 15 governorship election in the state. The governor also questioned the legal basis for any attempt to restrict the state's access to its financial resources, insisting that the EFCC lacks the constitutional and statutory authority to freeze the accounts of a state government.
The allegation comes a day after the governor appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene over alleged killings, intimidation and illegal detention of residents in the state ahead of the governorship election. Speaking at a campaign rally in Osogbo on Monday, Adeleke had warned that the people of the state would resist any attempt to rig the election, urging the President to prevent a repeat of the electoral violence witnessed in the old Western Region. The governor said, "Osun is bleeding," alleging that some residents had been killed while others were being intimidated or detained illegally. "Mr President, something is happening in Osun State that you need to know. Our people are being killed on a daily basis. Elements within the police are aiding APC thugs to kill our people," Adeleke alleged.
As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not publicly responded to the allegations, and no official confirmation was immediately available regarding the governor's claims. However, the accusation adds a new layer of tension to an already charged political atmosphere in Osun State, where the ruling Accord Party and the opposition All Progressives Congress have traded accusations of violence and electoral manipulation ahead of the crucial off-cycle governorship election. With less than two weeks to the poll, the governor's warning has heightened concerns over the integrity of the electoral process and the potential for institutional interference in the state's affairs. The people of Osun State are now watching closely to see whether the EFCC will respond to the allegations or whether the commission will proceed with the reported plans, a move that could further polarise the state and undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
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