Gboyega Oyetola, Nigeria’s Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, has dismissed claims by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) that he is scheming to rig the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election using the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Oyetola, through a statement signed by his media aide, Dr. Bolaji Akinola, described the allegations as false, malicious, and a desperate smear campaign by a ruling party anticipating electoral defeat.
“I have no control over INEC, the Police, or the AGF. I believe in democracy and the rule of law,” he asserted.
The former Osun State governor challenged the PDP to present verifiable evidence, adding that the accusations should be seen as the “dying gasp of a party on the brink of another electoral loss.”
Meanwhile, INEC reaffirmed its commitment to using the Biometric Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) for elections. Osun State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Dr. Mutiu Agboke, reiterated this during a press briefing in Osogbo.
“The Supreme Court never outlawed BVAS. It remains crucial for voter accreditation,” Agboke said.
He also disclosed that 360,794 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) remain uncollected in the state, calling on citizens and the media to intensify public enlightenment efforts on the importance of voter participation and card collection.
The statement sets the stage for what is shaping up to be a high-stakes 2026 gubernatorial contest in Osun State.
