The Particular Adviser on Political Issues to Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Muniru Raji, has criticised former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola, describing him because the weakest attainable opponent within the forthcoming 2026 governorship election.
Raji, who made this recognized in a podcast, Lero Temi, in Osogbo, added that Oyetola, who’s the present Minister of Marine and Blue Financial system, can be soundly defeated if he needs to be adopted because the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) within the 2026 Osun Governorship Election.
He made this recognized on the backdrop of the clarification of the defection hearsay involving Governor Adeleke and the adoption of President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election by the Peoples Democratic Occasion (PDP) in Osun State.
He stated, “Adegboyega Oyetola is the best candidate to defeat in any guber election. If the APC decides to make him their flag bearer, I guarantee you that Governor Adeleke will defeat him soundly as soon as once more.
“Governor Ademola Adeleke defeated him in 2022. If he comes out once more in 2026, Governor Adeleke will defeat him as soon as once more.”
Raji additionally disclosed that Governor Adeleke has no intention of defecting from the Peoples Democratic Occasion (PDP), regardless of current political developments within the state.
Raji, who held that defections from political events are regular occurrences in Nigerian politics, added that when Adeleke assumed workplace as governor, all elected political workplace holders had been members of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
“Defection is regular. However I need you to know that when Adeleke turned governor, the PDP didn’t have any elected political workplace holder in workplace however the APC,” he stated.
He emphasised that the loyalty of the citizens outweighs the significance of elected officers.
Raji famous that the voters have continued to specific their help for Adeleke and his re-election ambitions.
“The elected political workplace holders should not as vital because the electorates. They’ve been backing Adeleke since 2018, 2022, and even now, forward of the 2026 governorship election, we have now their stable backing.
“The electorates have assured us of their votes. Those who have resigned from the celebration have their causes for leaving. Possibly they’ve seen that their ambition is extra vital than these of the electorates that voted for them,” he added.
Whereas confirming Governor Adeleke’s plan to hunt re-election below the PDP within the 2026 governorship election, Raji stated, “Adeleke will contest once more below the PDP in 2026.”
He additionally dismissed the alleged inside disaster throughout the nationwide management of the PDP, notably the problem involving the place of the celebration’s Nationwide Secretary.
“The problems with the PDP on the nationwide stage on the subject of the Nationwide Secretary have been resolved. They’ve resolved to work with the candidate that the Unbiased Nationwide Electoral Fee recognised. So, Adeleke shouldn’t be leaving the PDP.”
Addressing speculations that the governor had met with APC chieftains concerning a attainable defection, Raji firmly denied such claims.
“I can guarantee you that Adeleke didn’t meet with any APC members,” he said.
Raji, nevertheless, said that Governor Adeleke and the PDP in Osun would help President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid.
“In 2027, Adeleke and the PDP will vote for APC and Tinubu as President. It’s because the president is shedding his help base within the North. We’re voting as a result of Tinubu is a Yoruba man from the South.”
