OSUN State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is working to freeze all bank accounts belonging to the state government ahead of the governorship election scheduled for August 15.
In a statement sent to News Point Nigeria on Wednesday, the state Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, said the governor raised the alarm on Tuesday at the Government House in Osogbo.
Alimi alleged that the anti-graft agency also plans to extend the proposed account freeze to those belonging to top government functionaries in the state.
According to the statement, Adeleke described the alleged move, if carried out, as “the height of lawlessness”, arguing that the plan was aimed at crippling government operations ahead of the election.
“The governor affirmed that there is no legal basis or justification for any move to freeze the state government accounts, declaring that the anti-graft agency has no legal powers to freeze the account of a state government,” the statement added.
The governor further alleged that any attempt to block access to the state’s financial resources would be politically motivated and intended to disrupt the activities of his administration ahead of the poll.
When contacted for a reaction, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said he would revert on the allegation. However, he had yet to respond as of the time of filing this report.
Adeleke is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party, while the All Progressives Congress (APC) is seeking to reclaim the state after spending four years in opposition.
The governorship contest has continued to generate political tension in Osun, with recent weeks witnessing renewed clashes between supporters of the major political camps as parties intensify efforts to consolidate support ahead of the election.
Speaking on Monday during a campaign rally in Olorunda Local Government Area, Adeleke appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene in the rising political tension in the state.
The governor warned against a repeat of the 1983 political crisis in the South-West, urging stakeholders to ensure that the election process remained peaceful and credible.
He argued that the recent endorsement of President Tinubu’s re-election bid by Accord in Osun should encourage the President to support a peaceful political environment in the state.
According to Adeleke, presidential intervention was necessary to prevent further “loss of innocent lives” and guarantee a credible electoral process.
“All we are asking for is simply a free and fair election,” the governor said.