Adeleke noted that Oyetola’s actions are hurting the APC’s standing in Osun and affecting the image of the President.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has accused the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, of plotting to ensure the state’s August 15 governorship election isn’t “free and fair” so that his party can win.
He levelled the allegation against the former governor on Sunday in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed.
Adeleke was reacting to Oyetola’s recent advice that he should prepare his handover notes because he will be losing the forthcoming election.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain made the statement on Saturday while addressing his party’s stakeholders and supporters in Osun State as they intensified their campaign ahead of the poll.
The minister maintained that the incumbent governor’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election would not prevent the APC from reclaiming the Osun governorship seat.
Speaking in Yoruba, Oyetola said, “They realised that they are already losing out. Then they claimed to have endorsed us. He almost cried. Endorsement cannot retain this seat for you. We are taking it over.”
He added, “If you like, make 10 endorsements, we will collect this one from you.”
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Responding, Adeleke, who interpreted the comments as a threat to the conduct of the governorship election, accused Oyetola and the APC of preparing to manipulate the process.
He went on to urge democracy advocates and relevant authorities to take note of Oyetola’s remarks as the state approaches the off-cycle election.
He added, however, that the people of Osun would resist any attempt to interfere with their constitutional right to freely elect their preferred candidate during Saturday’s election.
Defending his endorsement of Tinubu, Adeleke argued that it demonstrated his political strength and ability to mobilise support for the President ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Adeleke said, “A serving minister of the Republic has made an open threat against a free and fair election.
“The minister has personally confirmed all previous reports that Osun APC has lost the electoral confidence of the people and is therefore focused only on rigging next Saturday.”
He further declared, “As for us, we are winning this election by the grace of God and the mass support of the people. We are not going to snatch the democratic rights of the people as Mr Oyetola has threatened. We will be re-elected by the choice of the voters.”
