A member of the Digital Media Committee of the Osun APC Campaign Council, Mr. Olalekan Oni, has said the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, HE Gboyega Oyetola, did his best to ensure the All Progressives Congress, APC, won the just concluded governorship election in Osun State.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Mr. Oni, who is also Director of Media, Osun Renewal Drive, said the former governor provided strong leadership and unprecedented mobilisation for the party during the election.
“First of all, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, the former Governor of Osun State and leader of the APC in the state, did his best to ensure that the party won the election. He mobilised and canvassed extensively,” Oni said.
“One thing that appears lost on many people during and after the election is that the APC in Osun State had never mobilised in that manner before, even while it was in government.
“The level of mobilisation of party members was unprecedented and also awakened the incumbent administration in the state. This was largely because Gboyega Oyetola provided leadership for the APC throughout the election.”
Mr. Oni noted that Osun recorded over 60% voter turnout, which he described as unprecedented compared to the other seven gubernatorial by-elections held since 2023.
“Nobody should lose sight of the figures. Osun State recorded over 60% voter turnout, an unprecedented level compared with the other seven gubernatorial by-elections held since 2023. That level of participation was, in part, a reflection of the mobilisation and leadership provided by Gboyega Oyetola,” he stated.
He added that with 444,815 votes polled by the APC, “there is certainly nothing to joke about” and that the result showed the party still has significant strength in the state.
Speaking on the outcome, Oni said politics is a contest where only one person can emerge victorious.
“For Oyetola, politics is a contest in which only one person can emerge victorious. Losing an election does not make anyone a failure. The APC will make its position known soon, and the party will move on.”
He further highlighted the minister’s continued contributions to Osun’s development through his federal position.
“Beyond the election, Gboyega Oyetola continues to contribute to the development of Osun State through his position as Minister. The completion of the Gbongan-Akoda-Osogbo road project, which he facilitated through the Federal Government, is ongoing. The Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan Expressway has also been flagged off, with contractors now on site,” Oni said.
He also cited the upgrade of the College of Education, Ilesa, to the University of Ilesa during Oyetola’s tenure as governor, and the facilitation of federal employment for over 200 indigenes of Osun State under his leadership.
“With Gboyega Oyetola, the Osun State APC continues to move forward and make progress. The election has been contested, great efforts were put into it which no one can deny.”
Addressing calls for a congratulatory message to the winner, Oni said it remains the prerogative of the leaders.
“On the issue of congratulating the winner, whether by Gboyega Oyetola or Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, AMBO, that remains their prerogative. There is no provision in the electoral law that makes it a legal requirement for a candidate or party leader to publicly congratulate anyone.”