Oyetola’s ex-deputy joins 2026 Osun gov race

Oyetola’s ex-deputy joins 2026 Osun gov race

A former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Benedict Alabi, on Wednesday declared his intention to contest the All Progressives Congress ticket for the 2026 governorship election in the state.

Alabi, who served alongside ex-Governor Adegboyega Oyetola between 2018 and 2022, made his declaration in Osogbo while speaking with journalists.

He said his experience as deputy governor had adequately prepared him for the job, describing himself as the best option among the aspirants seeking the APC ticket.

According to him, the next Osun governor must be capable of handling complex situations and managing people and resources effectively to redirect the state towards sustainable progress.

Benedict Alabi

He urged the APC to consider him for the party’s ticket.

Reacting to speculation that Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and APC leader in Osun, Oyetola, had endorsed former Finance Commissioner, Bola Oyebamiji, Alabi dismissed the claim as mere insinuation.

He said,“The claim that former Governor Oyetola has a preferred candidate and that he anointed Alhaji Bola Oyebamiji is an insinuation. If you listened to him when he declared that he is no longer contesting for governorship in Osun State, he said he wished all aspirants success.

“There is no doubt that Alhaji Bola Oyebamiji is close to the minister, having served as his Commissioner for Finance, but that cannot be taken as an endorsement. It is mere street talk.

“I know that former Governor Oyetola has no preferred candidate. I have been with him and I know he is a man of his words. He has said it clearly that he has no preferred candidate, and I believe him. So the issue does not come into play.”

Credit – punch