The ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Osun State has accused the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola of abandoning his duties and campaigning to return as the governor of the state in the forthcoming election.
It wondered how the minister feels comfortable neglecting his job and many Federal Government programmes within the purview of his ministry and launching campaign for his return as Osun State governor in the scheduled 2026 governorship election in the state.
Oyetola was the immediate past governor of Osun State.
A statement issued by PDP Chairman, Hon Sunday Bisi, on Sunday informed President Bola Tinubu that the Minister, a former governor in Osun, has abandoned his duty post in Abuja and has been window shopping for programmes to rally support for his political ambition.
Bisi advised Oyetola “to face his mandate at federal level so as not to repeat his records of failure as Osun state governor at the National level.”
He claimed that Oyetola hijacked the SMEDAN programme “in a desperate bid to revive his dying political fortunes.”
Bisi said: “While we are aware of the rejection of Oyetola’s candidacy within the badly factionalized Osun APC, we are shocked that the Minister is unaware of his violation of the electoral act by usurping the SMEDAN event as a launchpad for a dead on arrival 2026 political campaign.
“Suffering from political isolation and deepening rejection of his comeback bid, the Minister is shamelessly sending out invitations to APC members to attend a SMEDAN event which to all intent and purpose is an apolitical gathering.
“We are surprised that instead of the Minister supporting President Tinubu to address the worsening national economic situation, he has chosen to abandon the ship in breach of the law to undermine the integrity of an SME programme created by the young chief executive of SMEDAN.
“In this period of national economic emergency, ministers and Governors are rallying round the presidency to address the many challenges confronting the nation, abandoning party affiliation and putting patriotism as first line charge.
“Unfortunately, Mr Oyetola is less concerned about the national task at hand but would rather hijack the job of the Minister for Trade and Investment only to come to Osun state to muddle up a federal programme with his five leprous political fingers.
“As he messed up Mr President on Christmas rice distribution in Osun state, the Minister has started on the same path, pushing to dilute and politicize SMEDAN and other federal programmes.
“While we urge Mr President to call Mr Oyetola to order, we also affirm that the state government will frustrate any effort by the former Governor to destabilize and make the state ungovernable.
“Any attempt to start the 2026 campaign in contravention of the Electoral Act is unacceptable. As Mr President is working hard to deliver at federal level, so has Governor Adeleke assumed the appellation of Mr Performer. This is time for governance.
“We had thought Oyetola would work hard to redeem his image as a low-rated former governor but his records so far at the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy confirm that he cannot meet up with 21st century good governance requirements, hence his lack of focus and failure to match up with his federal mandate.
“We urge the former Governor to redeem himself before it is too late by delivering on his mandate as a Minister of Marine and Blue Economy. He should allow Osun people to enjoy good governance which he denied them while at the helm of affairs.”
