A former Commissioner of Information and Strategy in Osun State, Sunday Akere, has claimed that former governor Adegboyega Oyetola lost the 2022 governorship election due to internal political manipulations within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Speaking at the 41st edition of The Frontliners, organized by the League of Veteran Journalists in Osogbo, Akere suggested that Oyetola’s defeat was not a result of unpopularity, but rather a strategic decision by certain powers who believed that undermining Oyetola would prevent Bola Tinubu from becoming President.
Akere stated, “We lost the 2022 election due to political manipulations from the leaders of the party. We lost not because we were not popular, but because some powers believed we must deal with Oyetola to stop Tinubu from becoming President.”
Looking ahead, Akere expressed confidence that Oyetola would defeat Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the upcoming 2026 governorship election. He asserted, “Oyetola contesting in 2026 will defeat the PDP hands down.”
He defended Oyetola’s record regarding civil servants, stating, “Oyetola was never the enemy of civil servants. All through his administration, there was not a single protest from students. He paid bursary and did not make noise about it.”
In contrast, Akere criticized the current administration under Ademola Adeleke, alleging wastefulness and inefficiency. He compared the revenue and project quality under both administrations, highlighting that “what Adeleke took in 23 months is what Oyetola took for 48 months.”
He pointed to the significant cost difference in infrastructure projects, stating, “We did the Olaiya Flyover with N2.9 billion, and they are doing the same Flyover at Okefia for N10 billion. Almost all the roads are peeling.”
Akere emphasized the need for effective governance, arguing that a portion of the budget for new projects could be better allocated to repairing existing infrastructure. He suggested that investing in road repairs could greatly benefit towns like Ile-Ife, stating, “If the administration takes N9 billion from the Ile-Ife Flyover project, it would significantly improve the town.”
