Osun Political Storm Returns: Adeleke Points Finger at Oyetola as Frozen Account Row Deepens

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has reignited a political controversy surrounding the freezing of a state government bank account, alleging that former governor Gboyega Oyetola was behind actions that, in his view, created unnecessary tension ahead of the August 15 governorship election. Adeleke maintained that President Bola Tinubu was not aware of several of the developments attributed to federal agencies, turning what began as an anti-corruption investigation into another episode in Osun’s increasingly dramatic political theatre.

The controversy centres on an Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) investigation involving alleged mismanagement of about N11 billion. The commission had restricted a state government account after identifying what it described as suspicious fund movements. President Tinubu subsequently directed the EFCC to return to court and vacate the order, saying he was embarrassed by the timing because actions by federal institutions could be interpreted as presidential interference in the election.

Adeleke Names Oyetola as the Man Behind the Political Storm

Speaking during an interview on Channels Television, Adeleke said the President could not possibly be aware of every action undertaken by federal agencies, given his responsibilities. The governor specifically accused Oyetola, a former Osun governor and current federal minister, of allegedly invoking the President’s name in matters affecting the state. Adeleke’s comments represent his political interpretation of events and should not be treated as an established finding of fact.

Adeleke also said some of his aides had been invited by the EFCC for questioning and subsequently released. With the governor questioning why officials such as his spokesperson would be summoned over financial matters, the affair has acquired the familiar ingredients of Nigerian political drama: an investigation, a frozen account, presidential intervention and competing accusations about who really pulled which political lever. Osun’s government had earlier gone to court over the account freeze, demanding N2 billion in damages from the EFCC.

EFCC Investigation Meets Election-Season Suspicion

The timing of the account freeze became a major political issue because it occurred roughly 10 days before the Osun governorship election. That proximity prompted allegations from political actors that the anti-graft action could influence the election, while the EFCC’s stated position was that the restriction was connected to its investigation into suspected financial misconduct. President Tinubu’s subsequent directive to reverse the freeze intensified the debate rather than ending it.

The controversy also fits into a much broader Adeleke-Oyetola political rivalry. Throughout the 2026 campaign, Adeleke repeatedly accused Oyetola and APC figures of attempting to undermine his administration, while APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji presented himself as President Tinubu’s endorsed candidate. Those competing political narratives ensured that virtually every major development in Osun could be interpreted through the lens of the election.

The latest accusations therefore leave Osun’s political drama with one unanswered question: was the account freeze simply an investigation that collided with an election calendar, or did political calculations enter the room? Adeleke has supplied his answer by pointing toward Oyetola, but the allegation remains a political claim rather than a proven conclusion. As the dust settles after the governorship contest, OGM News NG will continue to watch the EFCC proceedings, the political fallout and any fresh evidence that may clarify who knew what, and when.