BIG STORY: Tinubu Summons 76 Osun APC Leaders to Aso Rock, Demands Governorship Victory, Warns Against Defeat

President Bola Tinubu has summoned about 76 leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State to the Presidential Villa in Abuja as the party moves to resolve internal grievances ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

According to a report by PUNCH, the meeting, which took place late Monday night, followed an intelligence report allegedly presented to Tinubu by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The report was said to have highlighted growing discontent among some APC leaders in Osun who allegedly felt sidelined in the affairs of the party and its ongoing campaign.

Sources who spoke to PUNCH said Tinubu subsequently directed the party leaders to close ranks and work together to ensure the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, emerges victorious at the election.

The leaders were reportedly flown to Abuja on chartered aircraft from Ibadan, Oyo State, while some, including former Senior Special Assistant to the President on Legislative Matters, Babajide Omoworare, travelled from Lagos.

Among those said to have attended the meeting were former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Olubunmi Ete; former speakers of the Osun State House of Assembly, Mojeed Alabi, Adejare Bello and Wale Afolabi; as well as Shuaib Oyedokun, Poju Odusola and Bode Olanipekun.

PUNCH reported that the APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, was contacted by the Presidency to coordinate the attendance of party leaders who had allegedly been left out of the campaign structure.

A former APC local government chairman, who spoke anonymously, told PUNCH that the meeting was convened following Ribadu’s report to the President.

The source said the NSA reportedly warned that the discontent among party leaders could negatively affect the APC’s chances of winning the election if not addressed.

The source said, “The meeting was at the instance of an intelligence report from the NSA. I am aware that he told Tinubu that many APC leaders in Osun were not happy and had not been carried along in the party’s affairs, including the ongoing campaign.”

Another former lawmaker who attended the meeting described it as an opportunity for the party leaders to openly discuss their grievances with the President.

According to the former lawmaker, about 76 APC leaders were present and raised concerns about the distribution of federal appointments among party members in Osun.

The source alleged that many of the appointments had gone to members of the political camp associated with the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

The former lawmaker also claimed that Tinubu acknowledged the party’s previous electoral setbacks in Osun and urged the leaders to work collectively to secure victory for the APC.

He reportedly reminded them that Oyetola had lost his bid for re-election as governor in 2022 despite having access to resources, stressing that the ultimate loser was the APC.

Tinubu was quoted as urging the leaders to return to Osun and work for the success of the party’s candidate.

Another APC chieftain who attended the meeting told PUNCH that the discussions were productive, adding that the participants were satisfied with the President’s response.

The source said some leaders had expressed concerns that they might continue to be excluded from government affairs if the APC wins the election.

Tinubu was reportedly said to have assured them that there would be opportunities for party members at the federal level, while urging them to unite and deliver Osun to the APC.

Efforts by PUNCH to obtain comments from Basiru were reportedly unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls or messages.

However, the Osun APC Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Olabisi, confirmed the meeting but declined to provide further details.

“Yes, I am aware. That is all I can say,” Olabisi told PUNCH.

A source close to Basiru also confirmed his participation, saying the APC National Secretary was committed to resolving internal disagreements within the party ahead of the election.

The source said Basiru wanted party members to regard the election as a collective project and had been actively involved in campaigns for Oyebamiji.

A member of the Osun APC Governorship Campaign Council also confirmed that about 76 party leaders travelled to Abuja to meet with Tinubu, adding that some had already commenced mobilisation for the APC candidate.

Accord Party Accuses APC of Harbouring Alleged Election Hackers

Meanwhile, the Accord Party in Osun State has accused the APC of allegedly harbouring election hackers at a hotel in Osogbo ahead of the governorship election.

The allegation was contained in a statement signed by the state chairman of the Accord Party, Victor Akande, according to PUNCH.

Akande alleged that the individuals were brought into the state from Lagos and Abuja and had established an operational centre at a hotel in Osogbo.

He further alleged that their objective was to compromise the electronic systems of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and manipulate the results of the election.

The Accord Party called on security agencies to investigate the allegation and urged INEC to strengthen its digital security ahead of the poll.

The party also called for the alleged operational centre and other locations to be investigated.

However, the Osun APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, dismissed the allegation as false and baseless.

Olabisi said the APC would win the election without engaging in electoral malpractice, accusing the Accord Party of raising the allegation because of fears of defeat.

He urged the party to report any suspected criminal activity to the police or other relevant security agencies rather than making what he described as unfounded claims.

The exchange comes less than a week before the August 15 Osun governorship election, with political parties intensifying their campaigns and mobilisation across the state.