“Without Oyetola, APC Would Have Been Dead In Osun” — Oke Declares

A member of the House of Representatives, Oluwole Oke, has stirred fresh conversations within the political landscape of Osun State after openly declaring that the All Progressives Congress, APC, would have lost relevance in the state without the influence and leadership of former governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola.

Oke, a multiple-term lawmaker who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, to the APC, made the remarks in a social media post in which he showered praises on Oyetola, describing him as the political pillar who sustained the party through difficult periods and helped many politicians remain politically relevant.

In the post, Oke wrote: “HE Asiwaju Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola may not be a perfect man. However, he gave so many politicians in Osun and beyond political relevance. He gave some of our leaders survival lines. We should reward good deeds with good.”

The federal lawmaker went further to state that Oyetola’s contributions to the APC in Osun were instrumental to the party’s continued existence.

“Asiwaju is just too kind. He gave a lot of our brothers and sisters political appointments. Without him APC would have been dead in Osun State. God bless you Asiwaju Isiaka Gboyega Oyetola,” Oke declared.

The post, which also contained the cryptic message, “150826 is the deal date. AMBO is the logo,” has generated political interest across Osun, with many observers linking it to the growing calculations ahead of the 2026 governorship contest in the state.

Oke’s comments come at a time the Osun APC continues to navigate internal disagreements and factional battles that have shaped the party’s politics in recent years.

Political analysts say Oke’s latest intervention appears aimed at reinforcing Oyetola’s standing as the undisputed leader of the APC in Osun, especially as the party seeks to rebuild its structures and prepare for future electoral contests.

The endorsement is particularly significant given Oke’s own political journey. For years, he was one of the most prominent figures in the PDP in Osun State, representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives across several terms.

His recent defection to the APC generated widespread attention within the state’s political establishment and was viewed as one of the notable realignments ahead of the next election cycle.

Since joining the APC, Oke has increasingly aligned himself with Oyetola’s political tendency, openly praising the former governor’s leadership style and influence within the party.

Oyetola, who governed Osun State between 2018 and 2022, remains one of the most influential figures in the state’s APC structure. Despite losing his re-election bid in 2022, he retained significant control of the party machinery and later secured appointment into President Bola Tinubu’s cabinet as Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.