The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Chief Adegboyega Oyetola, has dropped his governorship ambition in Osun State ahead of the 2026 governorship election scheduled for August 7, 2026.
Chief Oyetola, who served as governor between 2018 and 2022, had been speculated to be contesting for a second term bid against other prominent figures in the All Progressives Congress (APC).
There had been speculations that Oyetola may contest for a second term bid against the National Secretary of APC, Senator Ajibola Basiru; the Managing Director of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Bola Oyebamiji; Prince Dotun Babayemi, Senator Jide Omoworare, among others.
In a meeting at the Tinubu/Shettima Campaign office, Oyetola stated that returning APC to Osun State government in 2026 was not negotiable.
He relinquished his gubernatorial ambition and wished the APC aspirants well in the primary contest.
According to him, the party has qualified, competent, and people of outstanding track records as aspirants contesting for the governorship election.
Oyetola tasked the governorship aspirants to embrace peace and be their brothers’ keepers by avoiding a campaign of calumny, bitterness, and politics of acrimony.
He vowed that no legitimate efforts would be spared to return the APC to power, noting that the party is formidable, vibrant, and potent to unseat Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Commenting on the moves of the coalition against President Bola Tinubu, Oyetola said the coast was clear for the re-election of Tinubu, saying the coalition was never a threat to the re-election bid of the President come 2027.
He asserted that the coalition of the opposition parties was never a threat, saying the moves were built on political conspiracy and vendetta.
Oyetola expressed confidence in the APC’s ability to come out victorious in future elections, saying the party is resolute to win.
He noted that the coalition was drifting to collapse and that this has no impact on the party’s chances in Osun State.
According to him, the APC is determined to unseat Governor Ademola Adeleke and return to power in the state.
