Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former Osun State Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, has officially declared that he will not contest the 2026 governorship election in the state, while affirming that the All Progressives Congress (APC) must reclaim power from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Oyetola made the announcement during a high-powered APC stakeholders’ meeting held Friday in Osogbo, where he reiterated his commitment to the party’s success and unity despite stepping aside from the upcoming contest.
“Our party is blessed with men and women of capacity and unblemished records. I believe we can rally around the best among us to reclaim Osun,” he stated.
Oyetola, who served as governor from 2018 to 2022, lost his re-election bid to Governor Ademola Adeleke. Nonetheless, he assured party members that the APC has a strong pool of competent aspirants who can deliver victory in 2026, emphasizing the importance of peace, unity, and internal discipline.
He cautioned against divisive rhetoric and intra-party attacks as the race intensifies, urging aspirants to conduct their campaigns with maturity and mutual respect.
“Let us shun campaigns of bitterness and calumny. We are each other’s keepers, and this party’s future depends on our ability to remain united,” Oyetola added.
On national politics, the minister dismissed ongoing coalition efforts by opposition elements aimed at challenging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, describing them as “unsustainable and ineffectual.”
“It is crystal clear that the coalition is drifting to collapse. It has no iota of effect on us, especially in Osun,” he said.
“We know them it is the same TOP group that metamorphosed into Omoluabi and later ADC. Nothing new.”
Oyetola also expressed gratitude to APC members for their unwavering loyalty since 2022, vowing to remain at the forefront of rebuilding and repositioning the party.
He underscored the strategic importance of voter mobilization, calling on all party faithful to participate actively in the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and ensure massive collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) ahead of the election.
“Victory begins with voter registration. Let’s ensure our people are registered and ready to vote,” he emphasized.
The stakeholders’ meeting was attended by an impressive lineup of political heavyweights, including APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru, NIWA boss Bola Oyebamiji, Prince Dotun Babayemi, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Kunle Adegoke, SAN, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, and Prof. Rafiu Durodoye all seen as top contenders for the party’s 2026 ticket.
Also present were former Minister of Health Prof. Isaac Adewole, Ambassador Issah Niniola, Hon. Wole Oke, Hon. Timothy Owoeye, APC State Chairman Tajudeen Lawal, party elders, former lawmakers, local government leaders, and grassroots stakeholders.
The gathering was seen as a major strategic forum to consolidate the APC’s position in Osun and fine-tune its roadmap to reclaim the governorship seat in 2026.
