Oyetola Still Suffering From Pain of Defeat – Adeleke

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has accused former governor Gboyega Oyetola of refusing to accept his defeat in the 2022 governorship election, alleging that he is using his relationship with President Bola Tinubu to create problems in the state.

Adeleke made the remarks on Tuesday during the Arise Town Hall ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, in which he is seeking re-election on the Accord Party platform.

The governor also defended his penchant for dancing at public events, saying his dancing was a hobby that had no bearing on his performance in office.

“They are jealous of me because they cannot dance in the first place,” Adeleke said.

“Let me tell you something. In our family, we are jolly good fellows. We have music in our blood. And I tell you what, nobody, I repeat, nobody will stop me from dancing. As I’m dancing, I’m working.”

Responding to criticism of his dancing, Adeleke said he was a serious and prudent administrator when carrying out his official duties.

“Dr. Abati, you need to see me when I’m working. I can dance with you now. When you come to my office, I’m a very prudent person. And I’m a very serious person. There’s time for everything. There’s time to dance and there’s time to work,” he said.

The governor then turned his attention to Oyetola, who served as Osun governor from 2018 to 2022 and is currently the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.

“Gboyega Oyetola is still suffering from the pain of defeat,” Adeleke said.

Adeleke defeated Oyetola in the closely contested 2022 Osun governorship election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Adeleke the winner, but the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal initially overturned the result in January 2023.

The Court of Appeal subsequently restored Adeleke’s victory, and the Supreme Court affirmed his election in May 2023.

The 2026 election has again brought Adeleke and the APC into direct confrontation, although Oyetola is not the APC’s candidate this time.

The party is fielding Bola Oyebamiji, while Adeleke is contesting on the Accord platform. The election is scheduled for Aug. 15.

Addressing Oyetola directly, Adeleke said his previous defeat should not be used to undermine the democratic process.

“Gboyega, if you are listening to me, this is democracy. Just because I defeated you, go and sit down. This is democracy,” he said.

“It is what Osun people want. Osun people are the ones that will decide. You use Mr. President’s name.”

Adeleke also accused the APC of using security agencies to intimidate Accord Party members ahead of the election.

“You are allowing people to be killed. You have arrested Accord Party members,” he said.

He claimed that only 14 of the Accord members arrested had been released, while others remained in detention.

“As I’m speaking to you, I’ve been talking to Bishop Matthew Kukah. Because I did not want to come to that signing. He said, please, respect me. I will come. I should come. That he will start talking to them,” Adeleke said.

“They only released about 14. Our candidate, Alaba, is still languishing in jail. For what?”

Adeleke questioned why his opponents would resort to arrests if they were confident of winning the election.

“If you know that you can win, why are you arresting my people? Why are you using federal might? To arrest? To intimidate? Osun people, and I know they are ready,” he said.

“There’s no amount of intimidation. The work that I’ve done speaks for itself. Come this Saturday, I’ll be victorious,” he said.