Former Osun State Governor Gboyega Oyetola and several senior All Progressives Congress (APC) figures were absent on Thursday when Governor Ademola Adeleke inaugurated a 344-member council to coordinate President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign in the state.
The absence came amid a public disagreement over the campaign structure, with the Osun APC chapter saying earlier on Thursday that it had not been briefed before the committee was announced.
Adeleke, who is leading the campaign effort despite the state’s cross-party political arrangements, said the council would seek to deliver more than the 1.5 million votes previously pledged to Tinubu. He described the alliance involving Accord, APC and PDP structures as a coalition formed specifically for the presidential election.
The governor clarified that the partnership would not extend to legislative contests, allowing participating parties to support their own candidates in senatorial, House of Representatives and state assembly elections.
Among those absent were Marine and Blue Economy Minister Gboyega Oyetola, Osun APC Chairman Tajudeen Lawal, Osun East Senator Francis Fadahunsi and Bola Oyebamiji, the APC’s governorship candidate in the 2026 election. Former state assembly Speaker Timothy Owoeye and Federal Housing Authority official Remi Omowaiye were also not present.
However, the inauguration attracted prominent APC figures, including former governor Bisi Akande, party National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, former National Secretary Iyiola Omisore, and former deputy governors Titi Laoye-Ponle and Lekan Adewoyin. Leaders from the PDP and Accord Party also attended.
Akande urged voters in the South-West to support Tinubu’s bid for a second term, while Basiru called on political stakeholders in Osun to set aside personal ambitions and work with Adeleke to secure the President’s re-election.
Basiru said Tinubu’s decision to appoint Adeleke as the state campaign coordinator should be respected regardless of party affiliations.
Speaking on behalf of the Osun APC chairman, Adeoye Adelakun said those absent might not have been informed about the event. He defended the coalition as necessary, arguing that the APC had failed to win elections in the state over the previous three election cycles.
Adeleke also said discussions between federal and state authorities over the state’s local government crisis had reached an advanced stage, expressing hope for a resolution.
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