By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has frozen an Osun State Government account domiciled with First Bank, ten days to governorship election, according to documents seen by Vanguard.

The account, reportedly used for the payment of workers’ salaries, was placed on “Post No Debit” status by the anti-graft agency.

The development came hours after Governor Ademola Adeleke alleged that the EFCC was planning to freeze the state’s accounts and those of top government officials.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the governor described the reported move as an attempt to cripple government activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Adeleke maintained that there was no legal basis for freezing the accounts of the state government, arguing that the EFCC lacked the statutory powers to take such action.

A source close to the governor, who requested anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly, confirmed to Vanguard that the account had already been frozen.

“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 on the development. The reason for the account restriction was also not immediately known.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

Governor Ademola Adeleke has declared that Osun residents will resist any attempts to rig the August 15 governorship election, invoking the potential repeat of the political violence that erupted in the Old Western Region and culminated in a military putsch.

Mr Adeleke, who made the remarks on Monday while addressing his supporters at Orita-Sabo in Olorunda council area, said residents would actively participate in the election and do everything possible to protect their votes.

Citing his personal support and the Accord Party’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027, Mr Adeleke stated, “President Tinubu, I’m passing this message to you. What do you want Osun to do? We have endorsed you. What happened? They are killing us. They are killing Yoruba people. The police have been compromised. The kidnappers are there, (but) the police are not doing anything about it.

“President Tinubu, I am using this medium to tell you, so you would not say I did not make an outcry. I am the chief security officer of Osun state. President Tinubu, I am passing this message to you, Osun will not accept any rigging. We will go out en masse and vote and defend our votes. I am repeating it. Don’t let what happened in 1983 repeat itself.”

In 1983, a political crisis in the old Ondo state snowballed into deadly riots and arson in Akure, Ibadan, and Ondo, with government buildings, Federal Electoral Commission (FEDECO) offices, and properties belonging to National Party of Nigeria (NPN) politicians set alight because Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) Governor Adekunle Ajasin was controversially declared defeated by Akin Omoboriowo of the NPN. Amid the conflagration, the military gang of Muhammadu Buhari toppled the civilian government of President Shehu Shagari.

Mr Adeleke alleged that former governor Adegboyega Oyetola was responsible for obstructing the disbursement of funds meant for Osun.

Mr Adeleke stated, “President Tinubu, Osun people and Accord Party have endorsed you as our presidential candidate. Why are we suffering? Why is our money being kept? Oyetola needs to be called to order. We all gave birth to children. Over the innocent blood of other people’s children being killed, God will take revenge.

“What happened? President Tinubu: he (Mr Oyetola) is fighting with everyone. He is the one who is making you fight with everyone. Oyetola needs to be called to order.”

The governor’s appeal for a credible and violence-free election comes 11 days before the off-cycle governorship election. Fourteen political parties are expected to participate in the contest.

By Yusuf Danjuma Yunusa

The Presidential Working Group on the proposed National Policing Bill has invited Nigerians to submit memoranda and policy proposals as part of efforts to establish a comprehensive legal and operational framework for state policing.

Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Monday, said the call was made by Chief of Staff to the President and chairman of the Working Group, Femi Gbajabiamila, after the Working Group’s meeting at the State House, Abuja.

“Submissions will be reviewed and integrated into the draft bill, which will then be subject to further national consultation before being finalised and sent to the National Assembly,” he stated.

Mr Onanuga noted that the working group is reviewing the Police Act 2020, the Police Service Commission framework, police regulations and other relevant laws to support the development of an effective, modern policing system.

According to him, the proposed framework will set national minimum standards, define state readiness and grant certification, clarify jurisdictional responsibilities, ensure independent oversight, uphold human rights, and guarantee sustainable funding.

Mr Onanuga added that call for memoranda will run for two weeks, allowing citizens, professionals, civil society, security agencies, state and local governments, academics, and other stakeholders to contribute.

Mr Onanuga explained that the draft Executive Bill was scheduled for presentation to President Bola Tinubu on September 3, 2026, with national consultations to follow before the final approval.

“The new National Policing Bill will set out requirements for recruitment, training, oversight, funding, and transition arrangements to ensure credible, effective, and accountable policing nationwide,” the presidential spokesperson added.

“A proposed State Police Service must demonstrate that it has credible arrangements for recruitment, vetting, training, pay, pensions, equipment, custody, complaints, discipline, data, firearms control, independent oversight and financial sustainability before it begins policing.”

In his remarks, representative of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum and Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, described the state police as one of the defining reforms of President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The invitation came weeks after the National Assembly passed the bill following its transmission by Mr Tinubu.