As varied reactions trail the outcome of August 15 gubernatorial poll in Osun State, a group identified as Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) Stakeholders Forum, has written an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola should be held responsible for the party’s defeat.

 

The group alleged that the hijack of the party leadership, structure and exclusive sharing of federal government appointments by Oyetola, among his loyalists, had polarised APC more than a year before last Saturday’s governorship poll.

 

In an open letter dated August 18, 2026, which was forwarded to Tinubu, the group attributed the misfortune of APC in Osun to greed and domineering tendency of the Minister, who is also the immediate past governor of the state.

 

The letter sighted by The Guardian on Thursday in Osogbo was signed by the coordinator of the group, Professor Akin Adeyanju and its secretary, Sola Ajayi.

 

Titled “Why We Lost the Osun State August 15, 2026 Gubernatorial Election”,

the letter reads: We respectfully submit that the principal reason for our defeat was the conduct of the immediate past governor of the state and Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola.

 

“In our assessment, he appointed cronies, allies and kinsmen to federal political positions and single-handedly selected all candidates for elective office in the state, disregarding the advice

and counsel of party elders who urged him to carry other critical stakeholders along.

 

“We write as the Osun APC Stakeholders Forum, a pressure group within the All Progressives Congress (APC) that holds the interest of our great party at heart.

We commend Your Excellency for the leadership and commitment shown, both before and after the August 15 gubernatorial election in our dear state.

 

“It is with deep regret, therefore, that we

report our loss, despite your unwavering support for the party’s success, “the letter stated.

 

The group listed 26 federal appointments, apart from 31 LGAs and 332 ward coordinators for Renewed Hope Ambassadors allegedly distributed to Oyetola cronies, leaving out other stakeholders of the APC in Osun State.

 

It added that list of elective offices singlehandedly nominated by Oyetola include the APC governorship candidate, deputy governorship candidate, three senatorial candidates, nine House of Representatives candidates, and 26 House of Assembly candidates.

 

“We believe this pattern of exclusion left the party’s base disengaged and cost us the support of critical stakeholders and communities across the state’s three senatorial districts, contributing

directly to our defeat on August 15.

 

To address the perceived injustice and lopsidedness, among others, the group demanded “direct independent review of the Osun State chapter’s leadership structure

and candidate-selection process ahead of any future elections.

 

“Constitution of a reconciliation meeting bringing together Minister Oyetola, party elders, and all aggrieved stakeholders in the state under the supervision of the National Working Committee.

 

“Restore fairness in federal appointments from Osun State, ensuring representation reflects

the breadth of the party’s membership rather than one camp, “the stated.

 

Efforts to get confirmation on the signatories to the letter from the Osun State chapter of the APC were unsuccessful as calls out through to the director of media and information of the party rang out.