Osun guber: I’ll support whoever emerges APC candidate to defeat Adeleke — Oyetola

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola, has declared that he will give his full support to any aspirant who emerges as the standard-bearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the 2026 governorship election, in a bid to unseat the incumbent Governor, Ademola Adeleke.

Speaking at a meeting of APC stakeholders in Osogbo on Friday, Oyetola, who governed the state from 2018 to 2022, confirmed that he will not be contesting in the forthcoming election, but will remain a committed leader working to return the APC to power.

“There are enough qualified, competent and people of outstanding track records who could aspire to the office,” Oyetola said, adding that this pool of capable aspirants is “a unique selling proposition to feast on.”

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He urged all APC governorship hopefuls to conduct their campaigns with dignity and unity, warning against negative tactics that could divide the party during 2026 Osun governorship election.

“I want to appeal to all our aspirants to embrace peace and be each others’ keepers by avoiding a campaign of calumny, bitterness and politics of acrimony,” he said.

Oyetola reaffirmed that the APC is determined to reclaim Osun State in 2026 and described the task as non-negotiable.

“We will not spare any legitimate effort to return to power,” he said, expressing confidence that the party remains “strong and able to unseat Governor Ademola Adeleke.”

The former governor also addressed recent political developments, dismissing coalition moves by some politicians against President Bola Tinubu as inconsequential.

“It is crystal clear that the coalition is drifting to collapse,” Oyetola said. “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,” Oyetola said.

Oyetola commended party members for their continued loyalty since the APC’s loss in 2022 and urged them to prioritise voter mobilisation. He described participation in Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) and collection of Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) as critical to the party’s success.

“This is a prerequisite for victory,” he said.

While stepping aside from the race, Oyetola pledged to lead efforts to unite and strengthen the APC ahead of the election. “We are resolute to come victorious in the future elections, and this is incontestable,” he said.

NIGERIAN TRIBUNE