The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has declared that he will not be contesting the 2026 governorship election in Osun State.
Oyetola, who served as the immediate past governor of the state, made this known during an All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting held in Osogbo on Friday.
There had been widespread speculation suggesting Oyetola might consider another attempt at the governorship seat, but his announcement has now laid such rumours to rest.
Oyetola’s declaration is coming after Muniru Raji, the Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke, also declared that Oyetola would be defeated if he is fielded as the APC candidate in 2026.
Raji, in a podcast on Thursday, had declared that Oyetola is the easiest candidate to defeat and boasted that he will be defeated again if the Osun APC fields him as their gubernatorial candidate.
Speaking at the gathering, which was attended by five APC governorship aspirants, Oyetola stated, “We have qualified, competent, and people of outstanding track records as aspirants contesting for the governorship election, and this is a unique selling proposition to feast on.”
In the meeting co-led by Oyetola, the Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, and the Chairman of the Elders’ Caucus, Sola Akinwumi, he stressed the importance of party unity and returning the APC to power in 2026.
He admonished aspirants and party members to avoid foul language during campaigns and work hard to ensure the party’s victory at the polls.
Oyetola urged party leaders to remain courageous and avoid statements that could foster internal division while pledging his continued support to the APC in Osun State.
Osun APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, also confirmed the minister’s decision on Saturday, saying, “The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Isiaq Gboyega Oyetola, told the meeting he was not interested in contesting in the next governorship election.”
Olabisi added, “He also charged the aspirants to support anyone that emerges as our candidate. He called on them to work hard and promised to support the party to win the next election.”
The aspirants present at the meeting included Barrister Kunle Adegoke, Dotun Babayemi, Bola Oyebamiji, Senators Mudasiru Hussein and Babajide Omoworare.
