2026: SEVEN REASONS APC DUMPS OYETOLA

Recent reports about the alleged exit of Mr Gboyega Oyetola from 2026 are generating various interpretations among political pundits. The first point of call among analysts is to compile reasons why the former Governor may have been considered unsuitable to flag the governorship banner of the Osun State APC for 2026 state elections.

Some of the reasons adduced in several official and unofficial reports are as follows:

1.Electability- The former Governor is widely considered unelectable considering his failed outings in both 2018 and 2022. He only won through rigging in 2018 and was defeated in 2022 when the rigging was blocked by Osun people. APC strategists considered him an electoral liability who cannot shake the electoral hold of the Adelekes on the state of the living spring;

2. Low Performance: The governance records of the Marine Minister were judged as weak and uninspiring across the sectors. For four years, the Minister was rated very low across strategic sectors of the state economy including his apparent lackluster delivery of even the few projects he pushed through while in office. He was rated low as a Governor by even inner members of his team;

3. Sadistic, vindictive Leadership: The former Governor is openly described by APC operatives as very vindictive and unforgiving while in office and even after he was defeated as a Governor. The failure of the Minister to manage Mr Aregbesola whom he served as a Chief of Staff and his very harsh leadership style among others scare away many APC caucus leaders. They are afraid of the Iragbiji man getting near seat of governorship again;

4. Reputational Damage: The Marine minister is viewed as having suffered enormous reputational damage in his political.brushes with the Adelekes. At home and abroad, the incumbent is widely seen as having failed where Adeleke succeeded only within two years. APC strategists are thus fixated on seeking a fresh face with untainted public image and without electorally damaging baggage;

5. Zonal Considerations: Of the three senatorial districts in Osun , Osun central where Oyetola hails from has governed the state for a total of 15 years plus while Osun West is currently serving only four years plus as at today. The thinking is that Osun West deserves a second term by 2026 by which time the zone would have governed for 10 years compared to almost 16 years by Osun central. This is what prompted the search for an Osun West candidate by the APC for 2026;

6. National Power Play: Political forces at the centre have little or no confidence in the Marine minister's capacity to run a winning political race in Osun state. They blamed him for the rift between Mr President and Mr Aregbesola as much as they detest his leadership style and relationship approach. This negative perception of the former Governor is deep even within the inner caucus of Mr President. The drive to replace Oyetola thus has national back up;

7. Appeasement of Aregbesola: Some top APC leaders reason that Aregbesola may be persuaded to back down on his anti-APC stance if Oyetola is dropped as the APC candidate for 2026. Those in this category assume that the exit of Oyetola from the race may weaken Aregbesola's resolve.