Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun and Anambra states are expressing discontent over President Bola Tinubu’s apparent alignment with their state governors, according to our reporter’s findings.
Dissatisfied members contend that Tinubu’s visible support for Governors Ademola Adeleke in Osun and Chukwuma Soludo in Anambra could negatively impact the party’s candidates in upcoming gubernatorial elections.
In Osun, certain APC leaders, particularly those loyal to Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Gboyega Oyetola, expressed their displeasure over Adeleke’s recent visit to Tinubu at his Lagos residence. During this June 3 meeting, Adeleke was accompanied by his brother, millionaire businessman Dr. Deji Adeleke, and his nephew, popular Afrobeat artist Davido.
Prior to this, Femi Gbajabiamila, the President’s Chief of Staff, visited Adeleke on May 20 after delivering a lecture at Osun State University. This meeting sparked speculation about Adeleke’s potential switch to the APC amid the defections of PDP governors to the ruling party.
Discussions on social media surfaced regarding the likelihood of Adeleke joining the APC, with reports indicating that some of his supporters, previously critical of Tinubu and the APC, began to justify the governor’s alleged interest in the party following his meeting with Tinubu.
In response, Oyetola’s loyalists condemned the visit. They voiced concerns about a scenario similar to Oyo State, where Tinubu allied himself with opposition Governor Seyi Makinde against the APC’s governorship candidate, Teslim Folarin, in the 2023 election.
In a press conference led by former State House of Assembly Speaker Timothy Owoeye, APC members stated that Adeleke was unwelcome in the party and that they would not entertain any sale of the party’s ticket. They asserted that Adeleke was merely trying to escape defeat by abandoning the PDP for the APC.
Owoeye commented, “If it were not for the fear of the unknown troubling the Adeleke family and the PDP, they wouldn’t be showing any intent to join the APC.”
Osun APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi maintained that Adeleke was uncertain about his chances of winning re-election under the PDP. While he claimed that the Osun APC remained unfazed by Adeleke’s meeting with Tinubu, he noted that the circumstances that favored the incumbent in the 2022 election no longer applied.
Olabisi said that Adeleke’s attempts to align with the APC seemed desperate and were aimed at undermining the party’s chances.
“The governor has clearly stated his disassociation with the APC. So, why is he seeking the national leader if he wants nothing to do with us? There cannot be smoke without fire, and while we have verifiable information, some details are not yet ready for disclosure.”
“He is trying to join the APC, but his efforts are being met with resistance. If he believes his party is popular, why pursue ours?”
Conversely, the PDP’s state spokesperson, Oladele Bamiji, criticized the APC for its arrogance in believing it holds exclusive sway over the President. He stated that both Tinubu and Adeleke, as leaders in governance, have valid reasons for meeting to discuss political issues.
Bamiji remarked that the APC seemed unwilling to engage productively and instead relied on the President’s influence to diminish Adeleke’s standing.
“For us in Osun PDP, the governor meeting the President isn’t a significant issue. While there may be political differences, such discussions are crucial. Maybe some APC members feel threatened by the meeting or are immobilized by their past errors.”
An anonymous APC chieftain expressed concerns over Tinubu’s connections with Adeleke, fearing it could occur at the cost of loyal party members. He worried about the unpredictability of the President’s political maneuvers, citing past actions in Oyo State that disadvantaged his own party.
“We do not want Adeleke joining the APC. He is attempting to claim the results of our efforts. We have steadfastly attracted many former PDP members. We don’t need him to secure victory.”
The Independent National Electoral Commission has scheduled the Osun governorship election for August 6, 2026.
Regarding the purpose of Adeleke’s visit to Tinubu, a senior aide disclosed that it was aimed at addressing the ongoing local government crisis in the state, which has caused paralysis in local governance due to a dispute between the PDP and APC over control of councils following a court ruling reinstating sacked officials from an October 2022 election. The state government maintains that a fresh election was conducted by the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission in February 2025, resulting in new local government officials.
