The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, has dismissed Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu, insisting it will not prevent the All Progressives Congress from reclaiming the state in the August 15 governorship election.
The Punch reported that Oyetola made the declaration on Saturday while speaking to APC stakeholders and supporters in Osun State.
The former Osun governor, who was defeated by Adeleke in the 2022 governorship election, was reacting to allegations that APC members and leaders of the Accord Party were being subjected to intimidation ahead of the poll.
Speaking in Yoruba, Oyetola said Adeleke’s complaints showed that the governor was becoming increasingly concerned about his chances of retaining the state.
According to the minister, Adeleke’s endorsement of Tinubu would have no bearing on the APC’s determination to win the governorship seat.
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.
“If you like, make 10 endorsements, we will collect this one from you.”
Oyetola also dismissed Adeleke’s frequent references to him, saying he had intentionally refrained from publicly engaging the governor.
He said, “If he sleeps and has nightmares, he will say he saw me. If his wife gave him food late, he would say I’m responsible for that.
“My name is so sweet in his mouth. Meanwhile, we are not even interested in his case. If we get interested in his case, he will feel it.”
Adeleke is seeking another term in office on the platform of the Accord Party and will face APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji and other contenders in the election.
The contest has emerged as a closely fought battle between Adeleke and Oyebamiji, with both camps stepping up their campaigns as the election approaches.
Tensions have also risen across the state, with the rival political camps exchanging accusations over alleged violence, intimidation and the arrest of their supporters.
Adeleke and members of his campaign have accused the Oyetola-led APC of targeting Accord Party members, citing reported arrests and searches of the residences of some party leaders and senior government officials.
The APC has denied the allegations and maintained its campaign to return to power in Osun, having lost the state to Adeleke in 2022.
Oyetola governed Osun between 2018 and 2022 before losing his re-election bid to Adeleke.
The two political rivals are now on opposing sides again, with Oyetola backing Oyebamiji as the APC seeks to regain control of the state.
