The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has established a 168-member presidential and parliamentary campaign council to support President Bola Tinubu's re-election and other party candidates in the 2027 general elections. This move comes days after Governor Ademola Adeleke inaugurated the Osun State Presidential Campaign Council for Tinubu, naming himself as its coordinator. The new council has Bola Oyebamiji, the APC governorship candidate, as its Director-General.
The decision to set up a separate campaign council was made to strengthen the party's chances in the forthcoming elections and ensure victory for its candidates. The APC stated that it had carefully selected its leaders and members in the state to coordinate mobilisation efforts and secure votes for Tinubu and its National and State Assembly candidates. The party explained that the new council was necessary to complement the existing campaign structure.
The APC national leader, President Bola Tinubu, had inaugurated the national APC Presidential Campaign Council on October 14, in Abuja, while Adeleke inaugurated the Osun State chapter of the council on October 22. The new council includes prominent members such as former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Foluke Etteh, and former deputy governors Adeleke Adewoyin, Iyiola Omisore, Titi Laoye-Ponnle, and Adegboyega Alabi.
The formation of the separate campaign council follows disagreements over the composition and leadership of the earlier Osun Presidential Campaign Council inaugurated by Adeleke. Adeleke was named coordinator of the Tinubu Presidential Campaign Council in the state, but several influential APC leaders, including former Osun governor Adegboyega Oyetola and Oyebamiji, were absent from the event.
The APC leadership in Osun had not been consulted before the council was constituted, according to Tajudeen Lawal, the state party chairman. Lawal also stated that the new council was carefully constituted to ensure victory for all APC candidates in the general elections. Oyebamiji's running mate, Benjamin Adereti, and Kehinde Olamolu were appointed Assistant Directors-General I and II, respectively.
The council also includes the three APC senatorial candidates and nine House of Representatives candidates in the state. Other prominent members listed include retired General Alani Akinrinade, Nigeria's Ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, and the party's spokesperson in the state, Kola Olabisi. The APC aims to deliver massive votes for the re-election of President Tinubu and its other candidates.
The development highlights the internal divisions within the APC in Osun State, as the party prepares for the 2027 general elections. The party's ability to present a united front will be crucial in determining its chances of success in the elections. The new campaign council is expected to play a key role in mobilising support for the APC candidates.
Key points
- APC sets up 168-member campaign council in Osun to support President Bola Tinubu's re-election.
- The move comes days after Governor Ademola Adeleke inaugurated a separate council for Tinubu's re-election.
- The new council includes prominent APC members, including former Speaker Foluke Etteh and former deputy governors.
