The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has withdrawn from the race for the All Progressives Congress (APC) ticket for the 2026 governorship contest in Osun State.

The former Governor said he is confident that the APC has several credible and qualified people already in the race for the ticket, and the party stands a good chance of winning the election itself.

Oyetola made his stance known at a stakeholders’ meeting held in Osogbo over the weekend.

Following his withdrawal from the race, the Minister also charged those still interested in the APC ticket to avoid a campaign of calumny and be their brother’s keeper.

He expressed confidence that not only will the APC win the 2026 gubernatorial election in Osun State, but will also win the 2027 presidential race and return President Bola Tinubu for a second term.

“You should all avoid the campaign of calumny and be your brother’s keeper. I am no longer interested in vying for the governorship ticket with you.

“You all can see that the APC remains the party to beat anytime and any day. As of today, we are receiving people into the party, and many are still coming.

“This development has further attested to our vibrancy, potency and formidability. This has always been my dream to build a virile, potent and formidable party that would return the progressives to government.

“I thank God that this is manifesting, and I can assure you that God on our side, we will win the governorship election next year in Osun State and deliver our state with massive votes for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“We have many justifications to send the current government packing, and we will return our party to the government next year by God’s grace.

“We have qualified, quality, competent and people of outstanding track records as aspirants contesting for the governorship election, and this is a unique selling proposition to feast on, and we will continue to complement the federal government’s efforts on all fronts,” he stated.