A rights group, Centre Against Violence in Politics (CAVIP) has raised alarm over alleged plan by some certain individuals in Osun State political circle to attack former governor of the state and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola over his governsohip ambition ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial election in the state.
The group said some political figures perceive the former governor as a stumbling block to their governorship ambitions in the state in 2026 and are planning to snuff life out of him.
CAVIP disclosed that “few dissident members of the State Chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in collaboration with the strong members of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the State” were in the know of the alleged planned attack.
“Our sources revealed that the elements in both parties that conceived the idea were of the opinion that Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola was not ready to release the Governorship ticket of the APC in 2026,while the other elements believed that Oyetola was the Presidency’s candidate to put a stop to the 2nd term ambition of the current governor of the State, Senator Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke where they were eating presently.
“Although, the sources pleaded anonymity in the APC, believing that Oyetola was ready to denounce contesting for the party governorship ticket in 2026.
“But, some people coordinated by his wife, Alhaja Kafayat Oyetola wanted the former governor to contest the forthcoming governorship election at all cost, believing that they would use all the available legal resources to ensure the victory for Oyetola during the 2026 gubernatorial election.
“They then revealed that the other elements who wanted to declare their ambitions and as well eyeing the APC governorship ticket believed that if Alhaji Oyetola contests the 2026 guber election against the present Governor Ademola Adeleke and he did not win, he would still secure the Ministerial portfolio at the federal cabinet of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to represent Osun State,” a statement signed by National Coordinator and Secretary of CAVIP, Comrade Ismail Ewulomi and Comrade Micheal Adebanire respectively, on Sunday, disclosed.
Reacting to the allegation, the group advocated for politics without bitterness as Osun 2026 governorship election is drawing nearer.
They said whether Oyetola would get the Osun APC governorship ticket or not, the idea of attacking him should not arise before anyone could realize their political ambition.
The group condemned the idea of eliminating one another for political ambition, describing the idea as barbaric, anti-people and against God’s commandments.
The group urged Oyetola to be conscious of his movements, henceforth.
They recalled that Late Hon. Misty Odunayo Olagbaju and Late Cicero of Esa-Oke, Chief Bola Ige were brutally murdered during political season.
Meanwhile, the state chapter of the APC had passed a vote of confidence on Oyetola during its recent emergency State Executive Committee meeting.
It described Oyetola as a pillar of support to the party morally and financially.
The party leaders disclosed that the party has not picked anybody as possible anointed governorship candidate for 2026 guber election, pleading with the party’s state executive committee to remain resolute, steadfast and united as leaders of the party without having any favourite among those who may be secretly eyeing the governorship ticket of the party at this crucial time in the life of the party.
The resolution further noted: “He who will be a peacemaker must not fuel a crisis. The state executive members of our party should, as officers of the party, not pitch a tent with any governorship aspirant in order to avoid the cataclysm that befell the party before the 2022 elections.
“We should desist from fuelling crisis in our party as leaders of the party in our own respective right. We shouldn’t encourage division in our exco. Let us exercise restraint and work as a team towards the resolve of the party to occupy the Bola Ige House, Abere, via 2026 election”.
“It is morally wrong and devoid of political leadership tact for the state party executive officers to have a favourite among the governorship aspirants. Let us improve on the fortification of our party by being more involved and proactive in our various local government council areas across the state,” Osun APC submitted.
