PDP raises alarm over Oyetola’s alleged plot to rig Osun governorship election

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo –

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State has raised concerns over alleged comments credited to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, describing them as a threat to democracy and electoral integrity in the state.

In a statement issued in Osogbo and signed by its Chairman, Hon. Sunday Bisi, the PDP accused the former governor of making inciting remarks during a recent All Progressives Congress (APC) caucus meeting, suggesting plans to manipulate the 2026 governorship election and influence the withholding of local government allocations.

Bisi alleged that Oyetola boasted of securing the cooperation of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Nigeria Police to ensure victory for the APC in the next gubernatorial poll.

He further claimed that the Minister admitted at the meeting to blocking Governor Ademola Adeleke’s defection to the APC and using “federal might” to stall the release of council funds to the PDP-led administration until after the election.

The PDP said it waited more than 48 hours for Oyetola to refute the statements, adding that his silence suggests they may be true. The party called on the Minister to publicly deny and clarify the reported comments.

Bisi urged President Bola Tinubu to discipline Oyetola for allegedly dragging the Federal Government into a political controversy and undermining the democratic process in the state.

The party also appealed to the President to direct the Attorney General of the Federation to comply with a Court of Appeal ruling recognizing PDP-elected local government officials and to release the withheld allocations without further delay.

In addition, the PDP said it had notified the international diplomatic community of what it described as an “open declaration of war on the people of Osun State” and “a genocidal threat to democratic practice” allegedly made by the Minister.