Mr. Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and immediate past governor of Osun State, has announced his decision not to contest the state’s 2026 governorship election.
Despite this, he emphasized that the return of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to power in the state next year is “not negotiable.”
Oyetola, who served as governor from 2018 to 2022 and narrowly lost his re-election bid to the People’s Democratic Party’s (PDP) candidate, Ademola Adeleke, made this known during a meeting with APC stakeholders in Osogbo at the weekend.
He affirmed that the APC boasts numerous qualified, competent individuals with outstanding track records capable of aspiring to the governorship.
He described this as “a unique selling proposition to feast on,” vowing that the party would “continue to complement the federal government’s efforts on all fronts.”
Furthermore, Oyetola urged all APC governorship aspirants in the upcoming election to prioritize peace and unity, advocating against campaigns of calumny, bitterness, and acrimonious politics.
He reiterated the party’s commitment to sparing no legitimate effort to reclaim power, asserting the APC’s strength and ability to unseat incumbent Gov. Adeleke.
Addressing broader political developments, Oyetola also commented on recent coalition moves by some politicians against President Bola Tinubu, stating that such coalitions pose no threat to the APC.
“It is crystal clear that the coalition is drifting to collapse.This has no iota of effect on us, particularly in Osun.
“We knew this since it is the same TOP that metamorphosed to Omoluabi and later ADC. We are resolute to come victorious in the future elections, and this is incontestable.”
The minister commended the APC’s leadership and members for their unwavering dedication to the party’s growth and development since 2022.
He reaffirmed his commitment to leading the party to victory in the 2026 elections.
Oyetola also stressed the critical importance of massive mobilization for the Continuous Voter Registration and Permanent Voter Card (PVC) collection, describing it as a prerequisite for the party’s success at the polls.
Several notable APC figures attendees vying for the governorship ticket include Senator Ajibola Basiru, the APC National Secretary; Asiwaju Bola Oyebamiji, Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA); Prince Dotun Babayemi; Senator Jide Omoworare; Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, Chairman of Mutual Benefits Assurance Plc; Kunle Adegoke, SAN; and Professor Rafiu Durodoye, a US-based Mathematics professor.
The Osogbo meeting was jointly chaired by the APC state chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, and the Chairman of the Elders’ Caucus, Chief Sola Akinwumi.
Other attendees also included a former Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole; the APC State Secretary, Alhaji Kamorudeen Alao; Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Protocol, Ambassador Issah Niniola; former Nigerian Ambassador to Mexico, Adejare Bello; House of Representatives member for Ilesa North Federal Constituency, Wole Oke and former Speaker of Osun House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye.
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