Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has accused his predecessor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, of using his influence within the Federal Government to target his administration, including allegedly directing the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to freeze the State Government’s account.
Adeleke made the allegation on Tuesday, August 11, 2026, during the Arise Town Hall involving candidates participating in the Osun State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15.
The Governor claimed that Oyetola had repeatedly invoked the name of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while allegedly putting pressure on federal agencies to take actions against the Osun State Government.
According to Adeleke, the situation became particularly serious when the State’s account was allegedly frozen by the EFCC.
He alleged that Oyetola gave the impression to the anti-graft agency that the action had the backing of President Tinubu.
“I am sure he (Oyetola) told EFCC to freeze our account, that Mr. President said it should be frozen,” Adeleke said during the town hall.
The Governor, however, said the situation changed after President Tinubu personally contacted him.
Adeleke claimed that during the conversation, the President expressed concern about the development and reportedly told him that he was embarrassed by what had happened.
He said Tinubu also made it clear that he wanted the Osun governorship election to be conducted in a free and fair atmosphere.
“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,” the Governor said.
The allegation has added another layer to the increasingly heated political contest in Osun State, where Adeleke is seeking re-election and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is facing a strong challenge from opposition parties.
Adeleke and Oyetola have remained major political opponents in Osun since the 2022 governorship election.
In that election, Adeleke defeated Oyetola, who was then seeking a second term as Governor. The contest was followed by legal challenges before Adeleke ultimately retained his position.
Four years later, the political rivalry between the two men remains a major feature of Osun politics, although Oyetola is no longer contesting the governorship election himself.
Oyetola currently serves in President Tinubu’s cabinet as Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, a position that Adeleke alleged has given his former political opponent access to federal institutions that could be used against the State Government.
The Governor accused Oyetola of attempting to exploit his relationship with the President for political purposes ahead of the election.
Adeleke further alleged that his predecessor had yet to come to terms with his defeat in the 2022 election and was determined to use federal influence to undermine his administration.
“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.
The Governor’s comments come at a politically sensitive period, with political parties intensifying their campaigns and mobilisation across the State ahead of the August 15 poll.
The Osun election is expected to attract significant attention because of the personalities involved, the rivalry between the major political blocs and the broader political implications of the outcome.
Adeleke is seeking another four-year term after spending his first term in office implementing his administration’s policies while also confronting political and institutional disputes involving the Federal Government.
The relationship between the Osun Government and federal authorities has been strained on several fronts in recent years.
One of the most prominent disputes has involved local government administration in the State, with the two major political camps disagreeing over the legitimacy and control of local government structures. The dispute has also generated controversy over the handling of funds meant for local councils.
Against this background, Adeleke’s latest allegation about the EFCC account freeze is likely to become another major campaign issue as voters prepare to cast their ballots.
However, the Governor’s claim that Oyetola personally influenced the alleged EFCC action remains an allegation made by Adeleke during the town hall. No independent evidence establishing that Oyetola instructed the EFCC to freeze the State Government’s account was contained in the report.
The EFCC is an independent federal anti-corruption agency with responsibility for investigating and prosecuting financial crimes, and any specific action by the Commission would ordinarily require its own official explanation.
The political significance of Adeleke’s allegation, therefore, extends beyond the immediate issue of the account.
By linking the alleged action to Oyetola and the Presidency, the Governor is presenting the development as part of what he described as an attempt to use federal institutions to influence the political direction of Osun State.
He also sought to distinguish President Tinubu from the alleged actions, saying the President’s reported reaction to the situation demonstrated that he did not support measures capable of undermining the democratic process.
Adeleke’s comments are expected to generate further reactions from the APC, Oyetola and other political actors involved in the Osun contest.
The election will ultimately determine whether Adeleke retains control of Osun State for another four years or whether opposition forces succeed in ending his administration.
With voting scheduled for August 15, the allegation over the alleged EFCC account freeze has now emerged as another contentious issue in a campaign already marked by sharp accusations and competing claims over the use of political influence.
For voters, the central question will be whether the competing parties can move beyond the accusations and present clear plans on governance, economic development, security and the welfare of residents.
As the final days of campaigning continue, Adeleke’s allegation against Oyetola is likely to remain part of the political debate surrounding the closely watched Osun governorship election.