Osun APC Stakeholders Write Tinubu, Blame Oyetola for Governorship Election Loss

A faction of stakeholders in the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has blamed the party’s defeat in the August 15 governorship election on what it described as the “exclusion” of party elders from key political decisions.

The group also accused former Governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, of concentrating political appointments and electoral candidates around his political camp.

The stakeholders, operating under the Osun APC Stakeholders Forum, made the allegations in an open letter dated August 18, 2026, addressed to President Bola Tinubu.

They called for an immediate review of the party’s structure and candidate-selection process in Osun State.

The letter was signed by Professor Akin Adeyanju, Coordinator of the Osun APC Stakeholders Forum, and Hon. Sola Ajayi, Secretary.

According to the group, the party’s failure to win the election was largely the result of internal divisions allegedly created by the manner in which Oyetola handled political appointments and the selection of candidates for elective positions.

“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, Gbȯyega Oyetola,” the stakeholders said.

The forum alleged that Oyetola “appointed cronies, allies and kinsmen to federal political positions and single-handedly selected all candidates for elective office in the state,” despite appeals from party elders to carry other stakeholders along.

The group argued that the alleged concentration of appointments and political opportunities around one faction alienated sections of the party and weakened the APC ahead of the election.

The stakeholders also accused Oyetola of dominating the party’s candidate-selection process, claiming that the governorship and deputy governorship candidates, three senatorial candidates, nine House of Representatives candidates and 26 House of Assembly candidates were “single-handedly” nominated by him.

The forum also presented a list of federal appointees it claimed were largely drawn from Oyetola’s hometown and political camp.

Among those listed were Oyetola himself; Kabiyesi Abdulrasheed Olabomi, Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Bola Oyebamiji, Managing Director of the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority and APC governorship candidate; Benjamin Adetori, deputy governorship candidate; Dayo Babatanti, Executive Director of the Nigerian Agricultural Insurance Corporation; and Fatai Adeyemi, Executive Director, Operations, NIMASA.

Others mentioned included Adeniran Aderogba, CEO, Regional Maritime Development Bank; Lekan Badmus, Executive Director, Operations, Nigerian Ports Authority; Charles Akindiji, Managing Director, South-West Development Commission; Ayo Omidiran, Chairman, Federal Character Commission; Nike Omoworare, Commissioner, South-West Development Commission and member of its Governing Council; and Dayo Eluyemi, Federal Commissioner, Federal Character Commission.

The list also included Segun Fanibe, Rotimi Makinde, Remi Omowaiye, Kayode Sowade, Taiwo Olaleya, Taofeek Adesede, Oladele Gbȯyega, Festus Olowobogega, Obawale Adebisi, Taiwo Oluga, Bosun Oyintiloye, Sunday Akere, as well as 31 LGA and 332 ward Renewed Hope Ambassadors.

The stakeholders said the alleged pattern of concentration had damaged the party’s relationship with grassroots members and other political blocs across Osun State.

“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 group said.

Beyond blaming Oyetola for the electoral setback, the stakeholders urged President Tinubu to intervene in the Osun APC crisis and take steps to rebuild the party ahead of future elections.

They called on the President to order an “immediate, independent review” of the Osun APC leadership structure and the process through which candidates were selected.

The group said such a review was necessary to address internal grievances, restore confidence among party members and strengthen the APC’s grassroots structure in the state.