Osun Governor Oyetola Denies Involvement in Planned Manipulation of 2026 Gubernatorial Election Results
In a recent development, Gboyega Oyetola, the former Governor of Osun State and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has denied allegations of manipulating the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
Oyetola, who served as Governor from 2018 to 2022, has publicly withdrawn from the 2026 race and pledged his support for the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates. His decision contradicts any narrative of him attempting to manipulate the election.
The former Governor has explicitly denied allegations of rigging, stating that they are politically motivated and lack factual evidence. His denial was issued through his Special Adviser on Media and Communications, Bolaji Akinola.
At present, there are no formal legal charges or proceedings against Oyetola related to election manipulation, as no credible evidence of such manipulation has been substantiated. The Supreme Court's judgment did not overrule the usage of the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS), emphasizing the importance of the voters' register.
Dr Mutiu Agboke, Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, disclosed that 360,794 Permanent Voter's Cards (PVCs) are yet to be collected in the state. Agboke urged the media to intensify public enlightenment campaigns to encourage citizens to collect their PVCs ahead of the next general elections.
Oyetola believes in democracy and the rule of law and has asserted that he has no influence over the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Police, or the Attorney-General of the Federation. The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy has challenged the opposition party to present credible evidence to substantiate its allegations.
In a statement, Oyetola described the allegations as a desperate smear campaign by the PDP, labeling them as the dying gasp of a political party heading for defeat in 2026. He also suggested that by 2027, the commission could introduce any technology as the law provides the basis for it.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has not been directly addressed in Oyetola's statement. However, INEC has reaffirmed the importance of the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in future elections. Agboke, the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, also stated that the commission has the power to deploy technology to strengthen the electoral process.
In summary, Gboyega Oyetola, the former Governor of Osun State and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has denied allegations of manipulating the 2026 Osun State governorship election. He has publicly withdrawn from the race and pledged his support for the APC candidates. No formal legal charges or proceedings have been initiated against him related to election manipulation, as no credible evidence of such manipulation has been substantiated. The case remains a political accusation without legal standing.
- Despite the allegations leveled against him, Gboyega Oyetola, a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has denied manipulating the 2026 Osun State governorship election.
- Oyetola has pledged his support for APC candidates in the upcoming election, demonstrating his disassociation with any attempt to manipulate the election.
- Dr Mutiu Agboke, Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, highlighted the importance of citizens collecting their Permanent Voter's Cards (PVCs) ahead of the general elections, emphasizing the role of the voters' register.
- Oyetola, in response to allegations of a smear campaign by the opposition party, PDP, has challenged them to present credible evidence to substantiate their claims.
- The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has affirmed the importance of the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) in future elections, and the Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Agboke, has stated that the commission has the power to deploy technology to strengthen the electoral process.
