The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has announced that he will not participate in the 2026 governorship election in Osun State.
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Oyetola, who was the most recent governor of the state, shared this information during an All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo on Friday.
There had been considerable speculation that Oyetola might consider another run for the governorship position, but his statement has now put those rumors to rest.
This announcement from Oyetola follows Muniru Raji, the Special Adviser to Governor Ademola Adeleke, who also stated that Oyetola would face defeat if he were to be nominated as the APC candidate in 2026.
Raji, during a podcast on Thursday, claimed that Oyetola is the easiest candidate to defeat and confidently asserted that he would lose again if the Osun APC selects him as their gubernatorial candidate.
At the meeting, which included five APC governorship aspirants, Oyetola remarked, “We have qualified, competent individuals with impressive track records as candidates for the governorship election, and this is a unique selling point to highlight.”
In the meeting co-chaired by Oyetola, Osun APC Chairman Tajudeen Lawal, and Elders’ Caucus Chairman Sola Akinwumi, he emphasized the need for party unity and the goal of returning the APC to power in 2026.
He encouraged aspirants and party members to refrain from using negative language during campaigns and to work diligently to secure the party’s success at the polls.
Oyetola urged party leaders to stay brave and avoid making statements that could create internal discord while reaffirming his ongoing support for the APC in Osun State.
Osun APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, also verified the minister’s decision on Saturday, stating, “The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Isiaq Gboyega Oyetola, informed the meeting that he is not interested in running in the upcoming governorship election. Olabisi added, “He