The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola, has declared that Governor Ademola Adeleke’s endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will not prevent the APC from reclaiming the Osun governorship seat in Saturday’s election.
Speaking on Saturday while addressing APC stakeholders and supporters in the state, Oyetola responded to recent claims by the governor’s camp and allegations of intimidation against APC members and leaders of the Accord Party ahead of the August 15 poll.
The former governor, who lost his re-election bid to Adeleke in 2022, said Adeleke’s complaints showed that the governor had realised he was losing his grip on the state.
Speaking in Yoruba, Oyetola stated:
“They realised that they are already losing out. Then they claimed to have endorsed us. He almost cried. Endorsement cannot retain this seat for you. We are taking it over.
If you like, make 10 endorsements, we will collect this one from you.”
He emphasised that the APC remains determined to reclaim the Bola Ige Government House and restore progressive governance in Osun State. Oyetola is backing the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, in the contest against Adeleke, who is seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party.
Oyetola dismissed the significance of the endorsement, noting that local political realities and the will of the people of Osun would determine the outcome of the election, not last-minute political manoeuvres.
The election, scheduled for August 15, 2026, features Adeleke of the Accord Party, Oyebamiji of the APC, and other candidates.