The Special Adviser on Political Matters to Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, Muniru Raji, has described former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola as the “easiest opponent to defeat” ahead of the 2026 governorship election in the state.
Naija News reports that Raji, speaking during a podcast, Lero Temi, in Osogbo, dismissed any fears of Adeleke’s re-election, stating confidently that the governor would “defeat Oyetola soundly” if he contests again under the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Raji, in a sharp dismissal of the APC’s strength in the state, said Oyetola, now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, poses no threat to the PDP.
He said, “Adegboyega Oyetola is the easiest candidate to defeat in any gubernatorial election. If the APC decides to make him their flag bearer, I assure you that Governor Adeleke will defeat him soundly once again.
“Governor Ademola Adeleke defeated him in 2022. If he comes out again in 2026, Governor Adeleke will defeat him once again.”
Amidst recent rumours suggesting Governor Adeleke might defect to the APC after publicly endorsing President Bola Tinubu for re-election in 2027, Raji made it clear that Adeleke remains loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Raji said, “Adeleke will contest again under the PDP in 2026.
“He did not meet with any APC members. There is no plan to defect. Adeleke is staying put in the PDP.”
He further addressed rumours of internal party crises at the national level, particularly the controversy surrounding the office of the PDP National Secretary.
The Governor’s aide said, “The issues with the PDP at the national level with reference to the National Secretary have been resolved. They have resolved to work with the candidate that the Independent National Electoral Commission recognised. So, Adeleke is not leaving the PDP.”
Raji brushed aside concerns over recent defections by some political appointees, noting that the strength of the PDP in Osun lies not in elected officials but in the support of the masses.
He said, “Defection is normal. But I want you to know that when Adeleke became governor, the PDP did not have any elected political office holder in office, but the APC.
“The elected political office holders are not as important as the electorate. They have been backing Adeleke since 2018, 2022, and even now, ahead of the 2026 governorship election, we have their solid backing.”
Raji also confirmed that while Adeleke and the Osun PDP would not defect to the APC, they would support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 for regional reasons.
“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 because Tinubu is a Yoruba man from the South,” he said.
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