Gboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy has warned Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to be ready for defeat in coming Saturday’s governorship election, declaring that Adeleke’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu would not be enough to prevent the All Progressives Congress (APC) from taking back the state’s governorship seat.
Oyetola was reported to have made the statement on Saturday while speaking to APC stakeholders and supporters in Osun State as the party intensified its mobilisation and preparations ahead of the August 15 governorship poll.
He used the occasion to address issues surrounding the election and the growing political contest between the APC and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
The former governor, who was defeated by Adeleke in the 2022 governorship election while seeking a second term, was reacting to allegations made by the incumbent governor concerning the treatment of opposition figures ahead of Saturday’s election.
Adeleke had alleged that members and leaders of the APC and Accord Party were being intimidated before the poll.
Speaking in Yoruba, Oyetola said Adeleke’s complaints suggested that the governor had become aware that his political control over Osun State was weakening ahead of the election.
He interpreted the governor’s allegations as a sign that the incumbent was becoming increasingly concerned about the prospect of losing the governorship seat to the APC.
Oyetola maintained that Adeleke’s decision to endorse President Bola Tinubu would not alter the outcome of the election or stop the APC from reclaiming control of Osun State.
He insisted that the endorsement would not provide the governor with sufficient political protection to retain the governorship seat.
The minister further declared that the APC remained determined to take over the state government after the election.
He dismissed the significance of Adeleke’s endorsement of Tinubu and challenged the governor to make as many endorsements as he wished, maintaining that such political support would not prevent the APC from achieving its objective.
Osun Guber 2026; Police release Osun commissioner arrested over alleged shooting in Ilesa
…Oyetola warns Adeleke to prepare for defeat at poll
Mr Mayowa Anjorin, the Osun state Commissioner for Environment, arrested by the Police on Saturday over alleged shooting at a political procession in Ilesa has now been released.
DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, confirmed his release today.
Ojelabi revealed that the commissioner was released around 1.00 p.m on bail.
However, the Amotekun operative arrested alongside the commissioner and the gun found with him are still with the police, Ojelabi confirmed.
The police spokesperson noted that investigation was still ongoing on the matter.
It would be recalled that the police arrested Anjorin over alleged shooting which took place at a political procession in Ilesa.
According to a statement by Ojelabi, suspected armed men, in a government vehicle, allegedly alighted and fired into the vicinity of an ongoing political procession in Ilesa.
He added that the armed men were reportedly dressed as personnel of the Osun State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun Corps.
He said three persons sustained gunshot injuries during the incident and that they were taken to the hospital for medical attention.
