By Ayodele Oni
Still trying to find out root cause of its defeat in the August 15 Governorship Election, the Osun APC Stakeholders Forum has blamed former State Governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, for the party’s defeat.
In the August 15, 2026, governorship election, Adeleke secured 511,067 votes to defeat the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes. The result gave the governor a winning margin of 66,252 votes.
The APC finished second in the election despite a strong campaign by the party and the involvement of senior political figures, including Oyetola and other members of the party’s national leadership.
The group made the allegation in an open letter dated August 18 and addressed to President Bola Tinubu, two days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party the winner of the election.
The forum, in its letter signed by its Coordinator, Prof Akin Adeyanju, and Secretary, Honourable Sola Ajayi, stated that it remained committed to the APC and appreciated Tinubu’s support for the party before and during the election.
It, however, insisted that the party’s loss could not be separated from what it described as internal problems within the Osun APC.
“We respectfully submit that the principal reason for our defeat was the conduct of the immediate past governor of the state and Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola,” the group said.
The stakeholders accused Oyetola of concentrating political appointments and elective positions around his allies, associates and people from his political camp.
According to the group, the approach created dissatisfaction among party members and weakened the support base of the APC across the state.
The forum alleged that Oyetola was responsible for the appointment of several federal political office holders from Osun State, claiming that 26 appointments were effectively “cornered by Oyetola’s hometown and camp.”
Among those listed by the group were Oyetola himself, former Osun Commissioner for Finance Bola Oyebamiji, who later became the APC governorship candidate, and his running mate, Benjamin Adereti
Others mentioned include Abdulrasheed Olabomi, Dayo Babaranti, Fatai Adeyemi, Adeniran Aderogba, Lekan Badmus, Charles Akindiji, Ayo Omidiran, Nike Omoworare, Dayo Eluyemi, Segun Fanibe, Rotimi Makinde and Remi Omowaiye.
The Forum also named Kayode Sowade, Taiwo Olaiya, Amidu Tadese, Oladele Gboyega, Festus Olowogboyega, Obawale Adebisi, Taiwo Oluga, Bosun Oyintiloye, Sunday Akere, as well as the 31 Local Government and 332 Ward Renewed Hope Ambassadors.
It further accused the former governor of exercising excessive influence over the selection of APC candidates for the election.
The group claimed that Oyetola personally selected the governorship and deputy governorship candidates, alongside the party’s candidates for the three senatorial districts, nine federal constituencies and 26 state constituencies.
“We believe this pattern of exclusion left the party’s base disengaged and cost us the support of critical stakeholders and communities across the state’s three senatorial districts, contributing directly to our defeat on August 15,” the forum said.
The Osun APC stakeholders pointed out that the result should trigger an urgent review of the party’s structure in the state.
They called on Tinubu to order an independent assessment of the leadership arrangement within the Osun APC and investigate how candidates were selected for the election.
The group also asked the President to facilitate a reconciliation process involving Oyetola, party elders and aggrieved members. It wants the National Working Committee of the APC to supervise the process.
The Forum further demanded a review of federal appointments allocated to Osun State.
It argued that appointments should not be concentrated within one political faction but should be distributed among different groups and senatorial districts to promote a stronger sense of belonging within the party.Legislative Branch
Beyond appointments, the stakeholders asked the APC leadership to investigate the conduct of the party’s primaries and the complaints raised by party members before the election.
They proposed the setting up of a fact-finding committee to examine the events that preceded the election and identify areas that contributed to the party’s poor performance.
The Forum also called for a state congress to be organised by the APC National Working Committee.
According to the group, the exercise should produce a more inclusive state executive capable of bringing the different factions of the party together.
“We are confident that with Your Excellency’s timely intervention, our party can reunite its ranks in Osun State, rebuild the trust of our members, and return stronger and better positioned ahead of the next election cycle,” the Forum said.
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