Hon. Folarin Fafowora has strongly refuted allegations of blackmail or incitement against the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Adegboyega Oyetola. This response follows a statement issued by Suleiman Adigun on behalf of the Oyetola Reloaded 2026 group.
Fafowora, a two-term representative of Ilesa West State Constituency (2007–2015), reaffirmed that Oyetola remains the undisputed leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State. He described Oyetola as a man of integrity and selfless service, whose contributions to Osun and the APC are exemplary. He cautioned individuals like Suleiman Adigun, whom he accused of pursuing personal interests, to desist from creating unnecessary divisions within the party and instead focus on offering constructive advice to party leaders.
Addressing the ongoing discussions surrounding the party’s 2026 governorship candidate, Fafowora urged party members to take lessons from history. He compared the current political climate to a challenging battlefield, noting that reclaiming power from an incumbent governor requires early and strategic preparation. Citing Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s meticulous campaign strategy in 2007 against Olagunsoye Oyinlola, he emphasized that victory cannot be achieved with a last-minute approach. “Waking up six months to an election and claiming readiness to defeat Governor Adeleke shows unseriousness on our part,” he remarked.
As a former local government chairman of Ilesa West LCDA, Fafowora highlighted the need for the APC to outmaneuver the opposition through proper planning, mobilization, and strategic action. He stressed that reclaiming Osun requires unity, focus, and resilience, especially since the party is challenging an incumbent determined to retain power at all costs.
Known affectionately as “Fafoo” by his supporters, Fafowora made a passionate plea to Minister Oyetola to declare his intentions for the 2026 governorship election without further delay. According to him, clarity and courage are crucial in leadership, and any delay could lead to confusion and disunity within the party. “The time to act is now,” he emphasized.
Should Oyetola choose not to contest, Fafowora urged him to assume the role of a statesman by engaging with all aspirants to ensure a transparent process that allows the most credible and electable candidate to emerge as the party’s flagbearer. He warned against relying on inexperienced advisers or opportunists, stating that such actions could jeopardize party unity. “Once you openly adopt or endorse an aspirant, the party risks disintegration,” he cautioned.
Fafowora, a dedicated member of the Alubarika Movement, called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Chief Bisi Akande to intervene and guide the Osun APC. He suggested that an opinion poll be conducted to identify the most capable candidate to challenge Governor Adeleke in 2026.
On the issue of zoning, Fafowora dismissed its relevance in the current political climate, describing it as a misplaced priority. “When marching into battle, does anyone ask about the captain’s state of origin, or do they focus on whether the captain can deliver victory? That is the only sensible question now,” he asserted.
He emphasized that popularity, experience, alliances, and acceptability within and beyond the state should be the key criteria for selecting the APC’s flagbearer. Concluding on a note of optimism, Fafowora expressed confidence that with unity and determination, the Osun APC will reclaim power and lead the state toward meaningful development. “What we have under Adeleke now is backward regression, but with the right leadership, Osun will rise again,” he concluded.
