Tension in Osun as EFCC Reportedly Restricts State Government Account Ahead of Governorship Election

.Adeleke alleges move targets state operations; EFCC yet to issue official statement…

Fresh political tension has emerged in Osun State following reports that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has placed a restriction on a state government account domiciled with First Bank, less than two weeks before the August 15 governorship election.
According to documents obtained by Vanguard, the account, reportedly used for the payment of workers’ salaries, was placed on a “Post No Debit” restriction by the anti-graft agency.
The reported development comes shortly after Governor Ademola Adeleke alleged that the EFCC was planning to freeze the state government’s accounts, as well as those of top government officials, ahead of the governorship poll.
Reacting to the reported restriction, the Osun State Government, through the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, described the action as an attempt to disrupt government activities in the build-up to the election.
Governor Adeleke maintained that there was no legal basis for freezing the state’s accounts, arguing that the EFCC lacks the statutory authority to take such action against a state government.
A source within the administration, who spoke on condition of anonymity, also claimed that the account had already been restricted.
“I can confirm that the state government account has been frozen by the EFCC. It is no longer an allegation. The governor will address the press shortly to update the public on the situation,” the source said.
As of the time of filing this report, the EFCC had not issued an official statement confirming or denying the reported restriction, while the reason for the alleged action remained unclear.
The development is expected to heighten political attention in Osun as preparations intensify for the forthcoming governorship election.