By Hon. Comrade James Onifade 
In the heart of Nigeria’s southwestern region, the state of Osun is gearing up for what promises to be a fiercely contested gubernatorial election come August 8, 2026. As the political landscape heats up, a clarion call is echoing across the state: “Osun People, Open Your Eyes Very Well!” This rallying cry, rooted in local Yoruba dialect and delivered with the passion of a community on the brink, warns against the subtle machinations of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
At its core, the message is clear and unapologetic: Voting for APC is tantamount to inviting back the immediate past governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, through the back door. And with him, the shadows of what many describe as an era of “darkness” , a period marked by perceived maladministration, economic stagnation, and unfulfilled promises.
The Real Fact that will all know: Oyetola Controlling from Behind the Scenes
Adegboyega Oyetola served one term as Osun governor (2018-2022) before losing to Ademola Adeleke in a hard-fought 2022 election. Although Oyetola is now Nigeria’s Minister for Marine and Blue Economy, he hasn’t disappeared from Osun politics. Instead, he’s using his influence behind the scenes.
During the 2025 APC gubernatorial primaries, Oyetola handpicked his preferred candidate, Alhaji Muniru Oyebanmi (known as AMBO), while systematically screening out seven other contenders. The message is clear: voting for AMBO is voting for Oyetola’s continued control over Osun.
Why Osun Cannot Return to That Era
Oyetola’s administration was marked by mismanagement that Osun voters have not forgotten:
∙ Unpaid worker and pensioner salaries
∙ Poorly implemented education policies
∙ Labor unrest and strikes
∙ Environmental neglect
And finally, he masterminded the payment of half salary with his principal (Aregbe)
When voters rejected Oyetola in 2022, they rejected this legacy. Adeleke’s administration has since delivered tangible improvements: rehabilitated roads, better healthcare, timely salary payments, and agricultural revival.
The Call: Vote Adeleke on the Accord Platform
This is a clarion call to all Osun people: reject any attempt to return APC to power. Voting for AMBO means voting to drain Osun’s resources again under Oyetola’s hidden hand.
The choice is simple: support Governor Ademola Adeleke and the ACCORD to continue building on progress, or allow Oyetola to pull the strings from Abuja.
Osun people, open your eyes. We must not go back to Egypt.
E-signed: Hon Comrade James Onifade
Advocate for Good Governance and A Better Judicial System
Joshua Tosin Ogunsakin