President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has met with about 76 All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders from Osun State at the Presidential Villa in Abuja as the party seeks to resolve internal disagreements ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The meeting reportedly followed an intelligence assessment presented to the President by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, concerning concerns among some influential APC members in Osun.
According to sources familiar with the development, the report indicated that some party leaders believed they had been left out of key decisions involving the APC’s affairs and campaign activities in the state.
The concerns reportedly prompted the President to invite the affected leaders to Abuja for discussions aimed at addressing the situation before the election.
During the meeting, Tinubu was said to have appealed to the party members to put their differences aside and work together for the success of the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
A former local government chairman who attended the meeting said the NSA’s report drew attention to the level of dissatisfaction among some APC members in Osun.
The source said the concerns centred on the perceived lack of involvement of some party leaders in the administration of the party and its campaign activities.
The source added that the situation was considered capable of affecting the APC’s electoral prospects if it remained unresolved.
Following the development, Tinubu reportedly contacted APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, and asked him to help coordinate the affected leaders for the meeting.
Several party chieftains were said to have travelled to Abuja from different locations to attend the meeting.
Those reportedly present included former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Olubunmi Ete; former speakers of the Osun State House of Assembly, Mojeed Alabi, Adejare Bello and Wale Afolabi; as well as Shuaib Oyedokun, Poju Odusola and Bode Olanipekun.
One of the participants described the meeting as an opportunity for party leaders to present their concerns directly to the President.
He said about 76 leaders attended the gathering and used the opportunity to explain their grievances regarding the running of the APC in Osun.
Some participants reportedly raised concerns about the distribution of federal appointments involving the state, alleging that several positions had gone largely to individuals perceived to be close to former Osun State governor, Adegboyega Oyetola, who is currently the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.
The allegations were presented during the meeting as part of broader concerns about inclusion and representation within the party.
Tinubu was also said to have warned the leaders against allowing internal disagreements to undermine the APC’s chances in the governorship election.
According to one of the attendees, the President stressed that an electoral defeat would affect the party as a whole rather than any particular faction.
The President reportedly referred to the APC’s previous setbacks in Osun, including its loss in the 2022 governorship election and the 2023 general elections, while urging the party leaders to work together.
Concerns were also reportedly expressed about whether the party would run an inclusive administration if Oyebamiji wins the election.
In response, Tinubu was said to have assured the leaders that there would be opportunities for members at both the state and federal levels, while encouraging them to unite behind the APC candidate.
Attempts to obtain comments from Basiru were reportedly unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to him were not answered.
However, Osun APC Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Olabisi, confirmed that the meeting took place.
“Yes, I am aware. That is all I can say,” Olabisi reportedly said.
Other APC sources also confirmed Basiru’s involvement in coordinating the meeting, describing it as part of efforts to address internal disagreements within the party before the August 15 governorship poll.