PDP Accuse Oyetola Of Using Osun SMEDAN Programme To Relaunch Dead Political Ambition

The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has accused the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola of relaunching his dead political career under the guise of a federal government programme.

This is as the party advised the minister “to face his mandate at federal level in order not to repeat his records of failure as Osun state governor at the national level.”

In a statement issued on Sunday by the PDP chairman, Sunday Bisi, the party told President Bola Tinubu that Oyetola has abandoned his constitutional duty as a Nigerian minister “but is window shopping to take over other minister’s responsibilities, all in pursuance of an ambition already rejected by APC members in Osun state.”

It also described Oyetola’s action of usurping the SMEDAN event for his 2026 re-election campaign as a violation of the electoral act.

According to the statement, “While we are aware of the rejection of Oyetola’s candidacy within the badly factionalized Osun APC, we are shocked that the Minister is unaware of his violation of the electoral act by usurping the SMEDAN event as a launchpad for a dead on arrival 2026 political campaign.

“Suffering from political isolation and deepening rejection of his comeback bid, the Minister is shamelessly sending out invitations to APC members to attend a SMEDAN event which to all intent and purpose is an apolitical gathering.

“We are surprised that instead of the Minister supporting President Tinubu to address the worsening national economic situation, he has chosen to abandon the ship in breach of the law to undermine the integrity of an SME programme created by the young chief executive of SMEDAN.

“In this period of national economic emergency, ministers and Governors are rallying round the presidency to address the many challenges confronting the nation, abandoning party affiliation and putting patriotism as first line charge.

“Unfortunately, Mr Oyetola is less concerned about the national task at hand but would rather hijack the job of the Minister for Trade and Investment only to come to Osun state to muddle up a federal programme with his five leprous political fingers.

“As he messed up Mr President on Christmas rice distribution in Osun state, the Minister has started on the same path, pushing to dilute and politicize SMEDAN and other federal programmes.

“While we urge Mr President to call Mr Oyetola to order, we also affirm that the state government will frustrate any effort by the former Governor to destabilize and make the state ungovernable.

“Any attempt to start the 2026 campaign in contravention of the Electoral Act is unacceptable. As Mr President is working hard to deliver at federal level, so has Governor Adeleke assumed the appellation of Mr Performer. This is time for governance.

“We had thought Oyetola would work hard to redeem his image as a low rated former governor but his records so far at the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy confirmed that he cannot meet up with 21st century good governance requirements, hence his lack of focus and failure to match up with his federal mandate.

“We urge the former Governor to redeem himself before it is too late by delivering on his mandate as a Minister of Marine and Blue Economy. He should allow Osun people to enjoy good governance which he denied them while at the helm of affairs,” the statement added.

Reacting, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a statement signed by Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, its Chairman said the PDP administration led by Governor Ademola Adeleke is afraid of its shadow as it has failed to deliver good governance to the people.

The opposition said Oyetola’s track record of performance made it possible for Adeleke to smoothly begin the running of his administration, and has nothing to show for his over one year in office with little or no development witnessed so far in the state.