A fresh political storm has erupted in Osun State after the African Democratic Congress (ADC) accused President Bola Tinubu’s administration of viewing political contests as a “war” following the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) freezing of the state government’s account ahead of the governorship election.
The EFCC’s move to place a Post-No-Debit restriction on an Osun State Government account with a first-generation bank has triggered outrage from Governor Ademola Adeleke, the ADC, legal practitioners and other political actors, with accusations of political intimidation flying across the state.
The anti-graft agency, in a letter dated August 5, 2026, reportedly directed the bank to restrict transactions on the account, citing provisions of the EFCC Act and the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act.
But Governor Adeleke has vowed to challenge the action in court, describing it as an abuse of the rule of law.
Addressing journalists in Osogbo, the governor demanded an explanation from EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, over the decision.
He said the commission must provide evidence backing its action, insisting that the move was capable of undermining democracy.
Adeleke added that he had directed the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Oluwole Jimi-Bada, SAN, to seek legal redress at the Federal High Court in Osogbo.
The state’s Attorney-General also faulted the EFCC’s action, arguing that the agency lacked constitutional powers to freeze an account containing funds meant for public services such as salaries, healthcare, education, pensions and security.
Jimi-Bada maintained that while the state respects lawful investigations, government agencies must operate within the limits of the Constitution and applicable laws.
However, the EFCC defended its decision, claiming it was forced to act after allegedly detecting suspicious movement of funds from the state account into different corporate entities.
The commission said it had been investigating the Osun State Government since March 2026 over alleged financial dealings involving Ecology Funds, Intervention Funds and FAAC allocations reportedly amounting to N11 billion.
According to EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, investigators became concerned after noticing what it described as “huge transfers” from the account to suspicious destinations from August 2, prompting the restriction.
The commission insisted the action was not politically motivated and was aimed at protecting public funds from possible diversion.
But the ADC has rejected the explanation, accusing the Federal Government of using state institutions as political weapons ahead of the Osun governorship election.
In a fiery statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Bolaji Abdullahi, the party alleged that the development was part of a broader attempt to weaken the Osun State Government.
The ADC claimed President Tinubu’s approach to politics reflects a mindset where elections are treated like battles between enemies rather than democratic contests.
“President Tinubu’s mentality, which regards political contests as warfare, constitutes a serious threat to democratic engagement,” the party alleged.
The party further argued that opposition-controlled states should not be treated as “occupied territories” and accused the Federal Government of punishing ordinary citizens by restricting access to funds meant for public services.
The ADC warned that using government institutions for political battles could deepen tensions and damage Nigeria’s democratic process.
With the Osun governorship election drawing closer, the EFCC’s action has opened a new front in the already heated political battle, with accusations of abuse of power, political persecution and financial accountability now dominating the campaign atmosphere.
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