Former Osun State Governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, has predicted victory for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Saturday’s governorship election, saying Governor Ademola Adeleke and his supporters will be left disappointed after the polls.
Oyetola made the declaration on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at the APC mega rally held in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.
He used the gathering to rally support for the party’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, ahead of the August 15 election.
The minister urged APC supporters across the state to remain committed to the party and ensure they turn out at their polling units on election day.
His comments come three days before voters across the state are expected to choose between Adeleke, Oyebamiji and other candidates seeking to control the Osun State Government House for the next four years.
The contest has become a major political battle between Adeleke and the APC, particularly because of the history between the governor and Oyetola.
Oyetola was governor of Osun before Adeleke defeated him in the 2022 governorship election. The former governor had sought another term in office but lost the election to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate at the time.
Four years later, the two camps are again on opposite sides of a closely watched governorship contest, although Adeleke is now seeking re-election on the platform of the Accord Party.
Speaking at the APC rally, Oyetola said the large crowd at the event showed that the party still had a strong political structure in the state.
“I think today is a day of joy and we are grateful that today met us alive and well. You all have seen how our party is. The APC has followers. They have cancelled their final rally because they are thoughtless, now let us ensure that Oyebamijji is the one you all will vote for.”
The minister also appealed to eligible voters, especially young people who have recently attained voting age, to participate in the election.
He asked voters to take their Permanent Voter Cards to their polling units and identify the APC symbol on the ballot.
“On Saturday, who will you vote for? Look at who they field and who we field. If you close your eyes who will you vote for? Because of time I want us to remember the fact that voting on Saturday is a must for all of us.”
Oyetola further told the crowd that the APC was confident of defeating Adeleke and his political camp at the polls.
He said supporters should vote for Oyebamiji and ensure their votes count.
“And for those people that have come of voting age, please ensure that you take your card to the polling unit and ensure you look for the insignia of a broom.”
The former governor then delivered his strongest message of the rally, predicting that the APC camp would celebrate while Adeleke and his supporters would mourn the election result.
“Thumpprint where you find a broom and by God’s grace we will all laugh this coming Saturday. We will laugh while they will cry when we finish voting on Saturday.”
In a related development, Governor Ademola Adeleke had earlier accused Oyetola and Oyebamiji of being afraid of the August 15 election and claimed that the APC camp was looking for ways to disrupt the process because of an alleged fear of defeat.
In a statement issued on April, Adeleke said the former governor and the APC candidate were making desperate moves ahead of the election.
He also declared that he was confident of defeating Oyebamiji on election day.
The governor said the opposition was aware of its political standing in the state and was therefore trying to create conditions that could affect the election.
“Out of fear of defeat, Mr Oyetola and his imposed candidate are desperate to disrupt the August 15 election. Having seen clearly that Osun people have rejected them, they are now resorting to anti-democratic means in a last-ditch effort to secure power,” Adeleke said.
The statement followed a series of disputes between the governor’s camp and the APC leadership in Osun.
Adeleke had also accused Oyetola and Oyebamiji of using the name of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in connection with political activities in the state.
In April, the governor alleged that both men were involved in efforts to frustrate his administration.
He claimed that their actions were aimed at stopping the government from delivering its programmes to residents.
“They plotted against our government. Their goal is to stop Osun development. But despite their evil plans, Osun is growing, our projects are moving.”
Adeleke further alleged that the APC figures had invoked the name of the President in carrying out activities that, according to him, were not authorised by Tinubu.
“Both Oyetola and Oyebamiji dropped the names of Mr President to do a lot of negative things. They do jobs that the President never sent them.”
The governor has maintained that his administration remains focused on winning the election through the support of Osun voters.
He has repeatedly presented the August 15 poll as a choice between what he describes as the gains of his administration and a return to the APC.
In December 2025, Adeleke also directly responded to Oyetola’s confidence in the APC’s chances in the election.
The governor declared at the time that he would defeat Oyebamiji and retain the governorship seat.
“I will beat Oyebamiji by the might of God and people,” Adeleke said.
He also criticised the APC’s record in the state and argued that Osun residents would not support what he described as a return to the previous administration.
