The Special Adviser on Political Matters to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Hon. Muniru Raji, has described former Governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, as the “weakest possible opponent” in the upcoming 2026 governorship election.
Speaking during a podcast interview on Lero Temi in Osogbo, Raji asserted that if the All Progressives Congress (APC) fields Oyetola as its candidate, Governor Adeleke will defeat him soundly once again — just as he did in the 2022 election.
“Oyetola is the easiest candidate to defeat in any guber election. If the APC makes him their flag bearer, I assure you that Adeleke will defeat him convincingly,” Raji said.
Addressing recent rumours of defection and internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Raji firmly dismissed claims that Governor Adeleke plans to leave the party. He confirmed that Adeleke will seek re-election under the PDP banner in 2026.
“Governor Adeleke is not leaving the PDP. He will contest again in 2026 under the PDP,” he said, emphasizing that any supposed crisis regarding the PDP National Secretary has been resolved in line with INEC’s recognition.
Raji also responded to speculations that Adeleke had met with APC leaders to discuss a potential defection. “I can assure you that Adeleke did not meet with any APC members,” he stated.
He noted that defections are common in Nigerian politics, but stressed that what matters most is the support of the electorate. “Since 2018, the people have stood firmly behind Adeleke. Those who left the party have their own ambitions, but the electorates remain with us.”
In a striking political position, Raji also declared that Governor Adeleke and the PDP in Osun State would support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, citing strategic ethnic and regional interests.
“In 2027, Adeleke and the PDP will vote for APC and Tinubu as President. This is because the president is losing his support base in the North. We are voting for him because he is a Yoruba man from the South,” he explained.
The remarks add a new twist to Osun’s political landscape as the countdown to the 2026 and 2027 elections begins.
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