By Oluwatosin Babatunde

The controversy surrounding the inauguration of the Osun State Presidential Campaign Council for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election raises important questions about political consultation, party leadership and the management of competing interests.

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), through its chairman, Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, has expressed displeasure over what it described as the failure to brief the party’s leadership before the inauguration of the campaign council, coordinated by Governor Ademola Adeleke.

While reaffirming its commitment to Tinubu’s re-election, the party faulted the short notice and alleged lack of consultation before the committee’s composition was announced.

Beneath this disagreement lies a fundamental question: can political actors with different interests work together effectively when the process of building that partnership becomes a source of tension?

Consultation and Political Inclusion

The APC’s statement distinguishes between supporting the President’s re-election and accepting the process through which the campaign council was constituted.

Political organisations operate through established structures, leadership hierarchies and channels of communication. Even when cooperation across party lines becomes necessary, consultation remains essential to building trust and securing the participation of relevant stakeholders.

However, the party’s allegation that the arrangement was designed to create misunderstanding between it and Adeleke remains its interpretation of events. Further clarification from the campaign organisers would help establish how the decisions were reached.

Adeleke’s Role and the APC’s Concerns

Adeleke’s appointment as state coordinator introduces an unusual political arrangement, given that he belongs to the Accord Party while Tinubu leads the APC.

The appointment suggests an effort to bring different political interests together behind a common electoral objective. Yet, such cooperation requires clearly defined responsibilities, effective communication and recognition of existing party structures.

The APC has acknowledged that Adeleke’s involvement could broaden support for Tinubu. Its concern, however, is that the process should not leave party leaders feeling excluded from a campaign they are expected to support.

The challenge, therefore, is not simply about who coordinates the campaign, but how the various stakeholders can work together without undermining one another.

Beyond the Disagreement

For the campaign organisers, the immediate task is to address the concerns raised and clarify the circumstances surrounding the inauguration.

Was the APC leadership adequately consulted? What responsibilities will the governor and party leaders exercise? How will future decisions be communicated?

Providing answers would help distinguish a procedural misunderstanding from a deeper disagreement over political influence.

Public exchanges may attract attention, but dialogue offers a more practical route to resolving the dispute. Reconciliation should also involve addressing legitimate concerns rather than merely issuing declarations of unity.

Ultimately, Osun People Will Decide

The controversy offers an opportunity to establish a more transparent framework for political cooperation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

For the APC, the task is to communicate its grievances while maintaining its stated commitment to Tinubu’s re-election. For Adeleke and the campaign organisers, the responsibility is to demonstrate that cross-party collaboration can accommodate established party structures.

Ultimately, political alliances and campaign committees are instruments for pursuing electoral objectives; they do not determine voters’ choices.

The success of any political coalition depends not only on shared objectives but also on consultation, trust and mutual respect. Beyond the calculations of party leaders, the people of Osun State will have the final say through their votes.