The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, has denied allegations of planning to rig the 2026 governorship election in Osun using the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

In a statement on Wednesday, signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Communications. Dr. Bolaji Akinola, Oyetola stated he believes in democracy and the rule of law.

According to him, the allegations being peddled against him by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state are nothing but false, malicious and part of a desperate smear campaign by the PDP, which he said is going to face a defeat in the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election.

He further stated that he has no control over INEC, the police, or the Attorney General of the Federation.

Oyetola challenged the PDP to produce verifiable evidence to support their claims, saying that without it, their statement should be treated as the dying gasp of a political party on the verge of another resounding electoral defeat.

He said: “The wild claims about ‘federal might’ are not only laughable but an insult to Nigerians’ intelligence and democratic institutions.

“The allegations concerning local government allocations and court rulings are mischievous distortions by a party trying to mask its own incompetence in governance and failure to engage constructively on matters of public interest.

“The PDP’s ridiculous resort to dragging the diplomatic community into their web of lies speaks volumes about their intentions — to incite, confuse, and distract the public from the real issues plaguing Osun State under their watch.

“We challenge the PDP to produce any verifiable evidence — audio, video, or minutes of the alleged meeting — to support these outrageous claims. Until then, the world should treat their statement as nothing but what it is: the dying gasp of a political party on the verge of another resounding electoral defeat.

“The Minister and the APC remain committed to free, fair, and credible elections in Osun State and across Nigeria. We urge the good people of Osun to ignore the distractions of the PDP and stay focused on the mission to restore competent, people-oriented governance in 2026.

“Enough of the theatrics. Osun deserves better than a party that governs by press release and paranoia.”