A former Commissioner for Information and Strategy in Osun State, Sunday Akere, has attributed the loss of the 2022 governorship election by former governor Adegboyega Oyetola to internal political manipulations within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Akere, speaking during the 41st edition of the Frontliners, an event organized by the League of Veteran Journalists in Osogbo on Thursday, dismissed suggestions that Oyetola’s defeat was due to unpopularity.
Instead, he alleged that some political forces within the APC targeted Oyetola to hinder Bola Tinubu’s presidential ambitions.
“We lost the 2022 election due to political manipulations from party leaders,” Akere stated.
“It wasn’t because we were unpopular but because some powers believed that Oyetola had to be dealt with to stop Tinubu from becoming President.”
Akere, who currently serves on the Governing Council of the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State, predicted that Oyetola would reclaim the governorship seat in 2026, defeating incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“Oyetola will contest in 2026 and defeat the PDP hands down,” he declared confidently.
The former commissioner also dismissed claims that Oyetola’s administration was unfriendly to civil servants, emphasizing that the ex-governor never delayed salaries or faced protests from students.
“Oyetola was never the enemy of civil servants. Throughout his tenure, salaries were paid on time, and there were no student protests.
He even provided bursaries quietly without seeking publicity and avoided interference in the operations of higher institutions,” Akere said.
He criticized Governor Adeleke’s administration for what he described as wasteful spending and insincerity.
“Comparing what Osun earned under Oyetola to what Adeleke is earning, the difference is clear. What Adeleke has taken in 23 months is equivalent to what Oyetola managed over 48 months,” Akere asserted.
He also questioned the cost and quality of infrastructure projects under Adeleke, citing disparities in road construction.
“We built the Olaiya Flyover for N2.9 billion, but they are building the Okefia Flyover for N10 billion.
Many of their roads are already peeling. Meanwhile, the roads constructed during Baba Bisi Akande’s administration are still standing strong,” Akere said.
Akere further criticized the proposed Ile-Ife Flyover, arguing that the funds could have been better utilized.
“The N19 billion tagged for that project could have transformed all the roads in Ile-Ife with just N9 billion,” he added.
The comments reflect ongoing tensions between the APC factions in Osun State as the 2026 governorship election approaches.
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