ABUJA: President Bola Tinubu has met with leaders and governorship aspirants of the All-Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, urging them to close ranks and support a consensus candidate ahead of the party’s governorship primary scheduled for December 13.
The meeting, which took place on Monday night at the State House, Abuja, was confirmed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Mr Bayo Onanuga.
Among those present were former Deputy Governor Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, Dotun Babayemi, Akin Ogunbiyi, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Kunle Adegoke (SAN), Babatunde Hareter Oralusi, Mulikat Abiola Jimoh and Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.
Also in attendance were the APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Hope Uzodimma; and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
President Tinubu commended the aspirants for their commitment to the party but warned against internal divisions, noting that infighting contributed to the party’s defeat in the last governorship election in the state.
He stressed the need for party supremacy, unity and collective responsibility, expressing confidence in the aspirants’ ability to secure victory for the APC in the next election.
According to the President, the aspirants must rally behind whoever emerges through the party’s nomination process to ensure success at the polls.
At the end of the meeting, the aspirants and party leaders issued a joint declaration pledging their support for a consensus candidate.
They affirmed the authority of the party to determine the nomination process and committed to avoiding actions capable of undermining party cohesion.
They further pledged to work together to ensure the APC’s success in the 2025 governorship election and to promote stability and good governance in Osun State.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) timetable indicates that political parties must submit the names of their candidates for the August 8, 2026, Osun governorship election by December 15.
