The lingering divisions within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State came into focus on Thursday as several prominent party leaders were absent from the inauguration of the 344-member Presidential Campaign Council for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, who was appointed by Tinubu to coordinate the presidential campaign in Osun, inaugurated the council in Osogbo, the state capital.
Among those absent were the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former Osun State governor, Adegboyega Oyetola; the APC governorship candidate for the 2026 election, Bola Oyebamiji; and the senator representing Osun East, Francis Fadahunsi.
Other prominent APC figures who did not attend included the state party chairman, Tajudeen Lawal; former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye; and the member representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, Oluwole Oke.
Also absent were the Federal Housing Authority (FHA) Executive Director of Project Implementation, Remi Omowaiye, and former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Adebayo Adeleke.
Their absence came a day after the Osun APC, through Lawal, complained that the party had not been formally informed about the inauguration.
Bisi Akande Leads APC Delegation
Despite the absence of several influential figures, a delegation of APC leaders attended the event, led by former Osun State governor and pioneer National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande.
The delegation included APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, former National Secretary Iyiola Omisore, former deputy governors Titi Laoye-Ponle and Lekan Adewoyin, Babajide Omoworare, and Chief Shuaib Oyedokun.
Other attendees were the party’s Osun Central Senatorial Leader, Adeoye Adelakun; former members of the House of Representatives Ajibola Famurewa and Bukola Oyewo; former Assembly Speaker Wale Afolabi; and former NABTEB Registrar, Professor Olu Aina.
Representatives of other parties in the coalition also attended, including former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretary Professor Wale Oladipo, Osun PDP Chairman Sunday Bisi, and Accord Party Chairman in the state, Victor Akande.
APC Leaders Explain Absence of Party Chieftains
Responding to questions about the absence of some prominent party leaders, Adelakun, who represented the state chairman as vice-chairman, suggested that some of them might not have been aware of the programme.
He said those present would brief the absent leaders on the proceedings.
“Those of us who are here are here because we are available. We will give them feedback on what transpired here, and I am sure they are not haters of President Tinubu,” Adelakun said.
He also defended the decision to work with other political parties, acknowledging that the APC had struggled to win elections in Osun without broader political cooperation.
“As APC alone, we have not won an election in the last three election cycles, and if we must give President Tinubu the required number of votes in Osun, we have to collaborate,” he stated.
Bisi Akande Says Tinubu Deserves Second Term
Speaking at the inauguration, Akande called on supporters to back Tinubu’s re-election, arguing that the President deserved a second term in office.
“Today, we have one of our sons in Yorubaland as President of Nigeria, and he is entitled to two terms in office. We are all praying that he gets his second term,” the former governor said.
Akande also disclosed that Adeleke had been tasked with mobilising two million votes for Tinubu in Osun State.
Noting that the January 16, 2027, presidential election date falls on his birthday, Akande expressed hope that he would celebrate the President’s victory on the day.
“I hope you will all rejoice with me at the end of that day that the Yoruba son who is President of Nigeria will continue. May God give us success,” he added.
Basiru Urges APC Members to Support Adeleke
APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru urged party members to put aside personal ambitions and disagreements and support Adeleke in his role as Tinubu’s campaign coordinator.
Basiru said the governor’s appointment reflected the President’s decision and called on party members to prioritise the presidential campaign over individual interests.
“It is in President Tinubu’s wisdom that he chose Governor Adeleke as his campaign coordinator in Osun. For us in Osun State, irrespective of our feelings, ambitions and scheming, we must abide by the vision of President Bola Tinubu and support Governor Ademola Adeleke to be successful in this exercise,” he said.
“There is no ambition or ego that is greater than ensuring President Bola Tinubu is re-elected,” Basiru added.
He also argued that increased revenue available to state governments under the Tinubu administration had made it easier for Osun to meet its operating expenses.
Adeleke Sets Two Million Vote Mobilisation Target
Addressing the campaign council, Adeleke urged members to work together to surpass the 1.5 million votes he had previously promised Tinubu from Osun State.
The governor described the alliance involving the Accord Party, APC and PDP structures as capable of supporting the presidential campaign across the state.
However, he clarified that the coalition arrangement was limited to the presidential election and would not prevent participating parties from supporting their respective candidates in legislative contests.
“While we will join hands to deliver Mr President on his party platform, coalition partners are free to work for their party candidates during the senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly elections. What ties us together is the presidential, not the legislative, elections,” Adeleke said.
His remarks outlined a distinction between cooperation in the presidential race and competition among the parties in legislative elections.
Osun Local Government Crisis
Adeleke also addressed the lingering local government crisis in Osun State, saying the state and federal governments were close to reaching a settlement.
The governor expressed optimism that an agreement could soon be announced, telling residents: “Our dear state should expect good news very soon.”
The inauguration of the 344-member council brought together political figures from different parties to coordinate Tinubu’s re-election campaign in Osun. However, the absence of several prominent APC leaders, alongside the party’s earlier complaint about being formally notified, highlighted continuing questions about coordination and cooperation within the state’s political structure.