By Sunday Ameh
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is planning to freeze all bank accounts belonging to the state government ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The governor, through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, raised the alarm in a statement issued on Wednesday, describing the alleged move as an attempt to cripple government activities before the poll.
According to the statement, the EFCC also intends to extend the freeze to the bank accounts of top government officials in the state.
Adeleke described the alleged plan as “the height of lawlessness,” insisting that there was no legal basis for freezing the accounts of a state government.
“The plot to freeze the state government accounts is meant to paralyse government activities ahead of the governorship election,” the statement read.
The governor maintained that the anti-graft agency lacked the constitutional powers to freeze the accounts of a state government, urging relevant authorities to prevent any action capable of undermining democratic processes.
When contacted, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said he would respond to the allegation but had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.
The allegation comes amid heightened political tension in Osun State ahead of the governorship election, with the ruling Accord Party and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) locked in a fierce contest.
In recent weeks, the state has witnessed incidents of political violence involving supporters of both parties.
Earlier this week, Adeleke appealed to President Bola Tinubu to intervene and ensure a peaceful, free and fair election, warning against a repeat of the political violence that characterised the South-West in 1983. He also urged security agencies to remain neutral and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.
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