As reported by DAILY POST, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, froze a bank account belonging to the Osun State Government earlier in August as part of an investigation into the alleged mismanagement of approximately N11 billion.

The commission noted that it had identified suspicious fund movements and restricted the account to prevent any further transactions while the investigation was ongoing.

In response, President Tinubu instructed the EFCC to return to court to lift the order and cease the related actions, expressing concern that the timing might suggest that a federal agency was being utilized to meddle in the election.

“The President is not aware of most of these matters. He has numerous foreign responsibilities and tasks to attend to,” Adeleke remarked during an interview on Channels Television on Sunday.

The governor further mentioned that some of his aides were summoned by the EFCC for questioning but were released after no evidence of wrongdoing was found.

“I told my people, go there. We haven’t got anything to hide. And when they go there, they ask them questions, and then they will say, ‘go on.’ Can you imagine my spokesperson? You are inviting my spokesperson — is my spokesperson a finance minister or accountant?” Adeleke asked.

He characterized the invitations as a diversion and claimed that Oyetola was responsible for the situation due to his connection with President Tinubu.

“All these things is Oyetola because he is the cousin to the President. He is dropping the President’s name. I know that the President didn’t know about the EFCC one. That is why he had to call me and stop it,” Adeleke said

Adeleke was re-elected for a second term as the governor of Osun State, receiving 511,067 votes, while APC’s Bola Oyebamiji garnered 444,815 votes. ADC’s Najeem Salaam finished in third place with 17,180 votes.

Adeleke triumphed in 19 out of the state’s 30 local government areas, whereas Oyebamiji won in 11.

The governor made these remarks during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

Despite their affiliation with opposing political parties, President Tinubu and Governor Adeleke have maintained a cordial relationship, with Adeleke making important visits to Tinubu and the President interacting with him.

After his re-election, the governor reiterated his support for President Tinubu’s re-election in 2027. 

During the political programme, Adeleke was asked whether his previous endorsement of Tinubu was based on a political or personal agreement, especially in light of Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development Festus Keyamo’s remark that “agreement is agreement.”

Adeleke said, “No, I never reached an agreement with Mr President. My support is just based on the fact that he’s a Yoruba man and he’s from the South-West. I believe that, with all the federal roads that he has started, I want to encourage him not to forget the South-West too because all our federal roads lead to other regions.

“And I feel like, well, since a Yoruba man has won the first term, maybe we should give him another chance to develop his reforms.”

When asked if he would fully support Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election, Adeleke responded, “absolutely, I will.”

The governor expressed his readiness to collaborate with members of the All Progressives Congress, APC, including his rival, Bola Oyebamiji, and former governor Gboyega Oyetola.

“As long as it’s for Mr President, I have no objections; I will work with them,” he stated.

Adeleke further mentioned that he would assist Tinubu in any capacity required when the 2027 campaign commences.

“Whenever Mr President is ready to campaign and so forth, I will participate in whatever way he needs me to,” he remarked.

His statements followed Keyamo’s expression of gratitude to Adeleke for publicly reaffirming his support for Tinubu’s re-election campaign in 2027.

Governor Adeleke was first elected in 2022.

He secured re-election last Saturday with 511,067 votes, defeating APC’s Oyebamiji, who received 444,815 votes. ADC candidate Najeem Salaam finished third with 17,180 votes.

The governor won in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured victory in 11.

When asked if he would reach out to the APC candidate, the governor asserted that it was Oyebamiji’s responsibility to contact him first if he wished to act in a civil manner.

“I am not the one who should reach out to him now because I am the one who won the election and I have been declared the winner.

“If he wants to be civilised, he is the one who should call me and say congratulations,” Adeleke stated.

Despite his insistence that Oyebamiji should initiate the communication, Adeleke invited his opponent to collaborate with his administration and share ideas that could benefit the state.

“But at this moment, I am taking this opportunity on national television to extend my hand of fellowship and invite him to come forward and discuss with me.

“If you have any ideas, please share them and I will consider them. If the idea is beneficial, I will be eager to implement it; the priority is Osun State,” he added.

Adeleke also mentioned that his administration would aim to mend the political rifts that characterized the campaign leading up to the election.

He revealed plans to form a reconciliation committee that would unite his political opponents and other stakeholders to work towards the state’s development.

“I will set up a reconciliation committee aimed at uniting the people of Osun. I will extend invitations to our opponents; if you have any suggestions, please present them so that we can collaborate and enhance Osun’s greatness,” the governor stated.