President Bola Tinubu recently convened a high-level meeting at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja with approximately 76 leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) from Osun State. The late-night gathering was prompted by an intelligence report submitted by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, which highlighted internal divisions and the marginalization of several key party figures ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
According to meeting attendees, the NSA’s report warned that unresolved grievances and the sidelining of prominent party stakeholders in campaign activities could severely harm the APC's electoral prospects. In response, the Presidency coordinated transportation for the leaders, with many flown in from Ibadan, Oyo State, to Abuja for discussions.
Key Grievances and Discussions
During the candid session, party leaders voiced strong concerns regarding internal party management and federal appointments. Attendees stated that appointments made by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, predominantly benefited members of his specific faction, leaving other party leaders feeling excluded from the administration's affairs.
President Tinubu addressed these grievances by emphasizing the necessity of party unity to secure victory in the upcoming poll. He acknowledged past electoral challenges and urged stakeholders to prioritize collective success over internal factionalism. To alleviate concerns regarding future representation, the President assured attendees that avenues would be established to accommodate party members at the federal level should local positions prove insufficient.
The gathering was coordinated with the assistance of APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, who worked to assemble the sidelined leaders to foster a unified campaign front. Osun APC Director of Media and Publicity Kola Olabisi confirmed that the meeting took place, reflecting ongoing efforts to resolve internal friction.
Political Clash Over Alleged Election Interference
Parallel to the developments in Abuja, political tensions escalated in Osun State as the ruling Accord Party accused the APC of lodging cyber operatives in an Osogbo hotel. Accord Party State Chairman Victor Akande alleged that the purported operatives intended to compromise the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) electronic voting and server systems. The party urged security forces and electoral authorities to investigate the hotel and reinforce digital security measures.
The Osun APC swiftly rejected the allegations, labeling them as groundless rumors fueled by the opposition's apprehension regarding the impending election. Party representatives maintained that the APC remains focused on a legitimate campaign and urged the public to dismiss the accusations while inviting security agencies to verify the claims.