Osun APC Says It Was Not Consulted Before Tinubu Campaign Council Inauguration

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has said it was not consulted before the announcement of the State Presidential Campaign Committee for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, raising concerns over the planned inauguration of the council.

 

The party’s position was contained in a statement signed by its chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, on Thursday, hours before the scheduled inauguration of the campaign council.

 

On Wednesday, Governor Ademola Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, announced plans to inaugurate a 344-member committee to coordinate Tinubu’s re-election campaign in Osun State.

 

Those listed on the council include former Governor Adebisi Akande; Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola; APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru; the party’s governorship candidate in the 2026 election, Bola Oyebamiji; and former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Foluke Etteh.

 

Others are former senators Iyiola Omisore, Jide Omoworare and Sola Adeyeye; Yinka Ajayi; former Osun Deputy Governor, Titilayo Ponle; Akintunde Adegboye; and Mumini Olabanji.

 

The list also features executives of the APC, Peoples Democratic Party and Accord, candidates of the APC and Accord for the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, former federal and state lawmakers, party chieftains and local government chairmen.

 

However, the inclusion of opposition figures has raised questions about the level of consultation among the political parties involved, with sources in Adeleke’s camp and the Osun APC indicating that no formal meeting had been held to determine how the campaign would be managed since Adeleke’s appointment as state coordinator.

 

An Osun APC source, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to comment publicly, said the party had not been briefed before the list emerged.

 

“The two camps have not met. We just saw the list like everyone in the state. There is uncertainty around it, but I can’t officially say what the APC reaction will be,” the source said.

 

The APC spokesperson in the state, Kola Olabisi, could not be reached for comment, as calls to his telephone went unanswered. Responses to text and WhatsApp messages seeking his reaction were still being awaited as of 7:50 p.m. on Wednesday.

 

In his statement, however, Lawal acknowledged the importance of the campaign and said the party had agreed to Adeleke’s appointment as coordinator of Tinubu’s re-election campaign in the state.

 

He expressed confidence that the joint efforts of the political parties would strengthen Tinubu’s chances but insisted that the process should follow proper procedures.

 

Lawal said the party was unaware of any inauguration beyond the announcement of names on social media by Adeleke’s spokesperson on Wednesday afternoon.

 

“In as much as we consider the re-election of the national leader of our party, President Tinubu, as a collective task which we have been working vigorously and assiduously to achieve through various means, it is our view and conviction that such an exercise should be properly scheduled,” he said.

 

The APC chairman argued that the re-election campaign of a sitting President required adequate planning and official protocol, adding that less than 12 hours’ notice could prevent key stakeholders from attending.

 

He also faulted the publication of the committee’s membership less than 24 hours before the planned event without prior consultation with the state party leadership.

 

Lawal alleged that the arrangement could create the impression of division within the Osun APC and undermine the party’s relationship with the President.

 

He further claimed that the process risked triggering an “avoidable misunderstanding” between the party and Adeleke as the appointed campaign coordinator.

 

Despite the reservations, Lawal stressed that the Osun APC was not opposed to making concessions or working with other political groups to secure Tinubu’s re-election.

 

He said the party’s concern was that the process should be handled properly to achieve the desired outcome.

 

The development highlights emerging tensions over the coordination of Tinubu’s re-election campaign in Osun, where Adeleke, a former PDP member who joined Accord, has been appointed to lead the state-level effort.