The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has declared that Governor Ademola Adeleke’s endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election will not prevent him from losing the forthcoming Osun State governorship election.
Oyetola, who is a leading figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, maintained that Adeleke’s political fortunes should be judged by his performance in the state rather than his support for the President.
The former Osun governor’s remarks come amid heightened political activities ahead of the state’s governorship election, with the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) intensifying efforts to mobilise supporters across the state.
Adeleke had publicly expressed support for President Tinubu’s re-election bid, a position that has generated considerable political discussion in Osun and across the South-West. However, Oyetola suggested that the endorsement would not translate into electoral advantage for the incumbent governor at the state level.
The minister’s position reflects the increasingly competitive nature of the Osun political landscape as both major parties prepare for the governorship contest. The 2022 election saw Adeleke defeat Oyetola, with the PDP candidate securing 403,371 votes against Oyetola’s 375,027 votes, according to results announced by INEC.
With the next election approaching, political stakeholders are expected to intensify their campaigns, alliances and grassroots mobilisation as the parties seek to win the confidence of Osun voters.
Oyetola’s latest comment is therefore likely to further fuel the political contest between the APC and PDP, particularly given the history of competition between him and Governor Adeleke.