Oyetola Says He Won’t Contest in Osun’s Gubernatorial Election
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and immediate past governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola, has officially announced he will not be contesting the 2026 Osun governorship election. The declaration, which comes after months of speculation, was made during an All Progressives Congress (APC) stakeholders’ meeting held in Osogbo on Friday.
Oyetola’s announcement put an end to rumours suggesting he was considering another bid for the governorship seat he lost in 2022. Speaking at the meeting co-chaired by Osun APC Chairman Tajudeen Lawal and Chairman of the Elders’ Caucus, Sola Akinwumi, the former governor emphasized that the party’s success in the upcoming 2026 election takes precedence over personal ambition.
“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,” Oyetola said, adding that his focus will remain on supporting the APC and complementing the efforts of the federal government.
Oyetola extended best wishes to all APC aspirants vying for the governorship ticket and urged them to uphold party unity and discipline throughout the electoral process.
In attendance at the meeting were five frontline governorship hopefuls: Kunle Adegoke, Omooba Dotun Babayemi, Alhaji Bola Oyebamiji, Senator Mudasiru Hussein, and Senator Babajide Omoworare.
Confirming the development on Saturday, Osun APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi told journalists that Oyetola made it clear he would not be seeking the APC ticket for the 2026 poll. Olabisi noted that the minister urged all aspirants to avoid divisive rhetoric and to remain committed to the collective goal of returning the party to power in the state.
“He told party leaders to be courageous and avoid utterances that can create division. He called on aspirants to support whoever emerges as the party’s candidate and promised to work hard to ensure APC wins the next election,” Olabisi stated.
This development has reshaped the internal dynamics of the APC in Osun State. Oyetola’s decision not to contest removes a major political heavyweight from the race and opens the field to new contenders. Some political observers believe his absence could foster a more level playing field among the aspirants while others view his continued influence behind the scenes as significant.
Party insiders suggest that Oyetola’s backing may still carry weight, especially with aspirants hoping to secure endorsements from top-ranking stakeholders ahead of the party primary. His call for unity and support for whoever emerges could also be a signal of a planned consensus or strategic alliance within the party structure.
With the August 7, 2026 governorship election drawing closer, the APC in Osun State now faces the task of consolidating its internal structure, managing rivalries among aspirants, and preparing a robust campaign to challenge the ruling party.
Meanwhile, the PDP government in Osun, led by Governor Ademola Adeleke, is expected to seek re-election. Political watchers anticipate a heated contest, especially given Osun’s history of tight and fiercely contested governorship races.
As APC members digest Oyetola’s decision, the focus now shifts to how the party navigates the coming months, whether it will emerge more united or fall victim to internal divisions that have, in the past, cost parties dearly at the polls.
If you enjoyed this article, click here to read more informative posts, also check us out on Instagram for fun and engaging content.
Disclaimer: The opinions, views, and information expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy, position, or views of iNaijanow. The company assumes no liability for any errors, omissions, or damages arising from the use of this information.
