morgANABLE politics/elections
The APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, was said to have coordinated the gathering at the President’s request
KaNo—
President Bola Tinubu has intervened in the internal affairs of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, summoning no fewer than 76 party leaders to the Presidential Villa in Abuja amid rising tensions ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The late-night meeting at the Aso Rock Villa, according to multiple sources, was prompted by an intelligence report submitted by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.
The report allegedly highlighted growing dissatisfaction among key APC stakeholders in Osun, many of whom felt excluded from party decision-making processes and the ongoing campaign activities.
Insiders disclosed that Tinubu used the meeting to urge reconciliation among aggrieved members and to rally support for the party’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
The President reportedly stressed the importance of unity, warning that internal divisions could jeopardise the party’s chances at the polls.
Sources familiar with the meeting said arrangements were made to transport the leaders to Abuja, with chartered flights departing from Ibadan, while others travelled from Lagos.
Prominent Party Leaders Attend Meeting
Among those in attendance were prominent figures within the party, including former Speaker of the House of Representatives Olubunmi Ete, former Osun Assembly Speakers Mojeed Alabi, Adejare Bello, and Wale Afolabi, as well as party stalwarts such as Shuaib Oyedokun and Poju Odusola.
The APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, was said to have coordinated the gathering at the President’s request. According to participants, Basiru identified leaders who had been sidelined and ensured their presence at the meeting.
A party chieftain from Boluwaduro Local Government Area, who spoke anonymously, said the NSA’s report played a decisive role in prompting Tinubu’s intervention.
He noted that Ribadu had warned that unresolved grievances among party leaders could undermine APC’s electoral prospects in Osun.
“The meeting was based on intelligence that many leaders were unhappy and not carried along,” the source said.
“The President immediately directed that those affected be brought together so their concerns could be addressed before it affects the election.”
A major point of contention, sources said, was the alleged concentration of federal appointments among loyalists of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
Oyetola Accused Of Favoring Loyalists
According to one former lawmaker present, many leaders accused Oyetola of favouring members of his IleriOluwa political group at the expense of other stakeholders.
“We told the President that most appointments from Osun have gone to one camp, leaving others out,” the source said.
“There is a feeling that the party is not inclusive, and that has created resentment.”
Responding, Tinubu reportedly cautioned against actions that could weaken the party, urging members to prioritise collective success over individual grievances.
He also reminded them of past electoral setbacks, including the APC’s loss in the 2022 Osun governorship election.
Tinubu was also said to have acknowledged concerns about inclusivity, assuring the leaders that opportunities existed beyond the state level. “He told us there was enough room at the federal level to accommodate everyone,” another source revealed.
The meeting appears to have had an immediate impact, with several attendees reportedly pledging to mobilise support for Oyebamiji upon their return to Osun.
AP Accuses APC Of Planning To Rig
Meanwhile, political tensions in the state escalated further as the Accord Party levelled serious allegations against the APC, accusing it of plotting to manipulate the forthcoming election through cyber interference.
In a statement issued in Osogbo, the party’s state chairman, Victor Akande, alleged that individuals described as “hackers” had been brought into the state and lodged in a hotel to compromise the digital systems of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Akande claimed the alleged operatives were tasked with infiltrating INEC’s electronic infrastructure to alter election results.
He called on security agencies to investigate the matter and urged INEC to strengthen its cybersecurity measures ahead of the poll.
“The integrity of the electoral process must be protected,” he said.
“Any attempt to manipulate the results will be resisted by the people.”he added
However, the APC swiftly dismissed the allegations, describing them as unfounded and politically motivated.
Olabisi said the claims were an attempt to discredit the party and distract from its campaign efforts.
“There is no truth to the allegation that we are harbouring hackers,” he said. “Our party does not need to rig elections to win. These claims are baseless and driven by fear of defeat.”
Observers say the unfolding developments highlight the high stakes of the Osun governorship election, with both internal party dynamics and inter-party rivalry shaping the political landscape.
With just days to the poll, analysts note that Tinubu’s intervention may prove decisive in mending fractures within the APC, though questions remain about whether the reconciliation efforts will translate into electoral success.
