President Bola Tinubu has held a crucial meeting with All Progressives Congress leaders and governorship aspirants from Osun State, urging them to embrace unity and rally behind a consensus candidate ahead of the party’s primary scheduled for December 13.
According to a statement issued by Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, the meeting took place on Monday night at the State House in Abuja. Those present included leading aspirants such as 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 National Chairman of the APC, Professor 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.
During the meeting, President Tinubu commended the aspirants for their individual contributions to the party in Osun State. He appealed to them to avoid the internal disputes and divisions that he said contributed to the party’s loss to the Peoples Democratic Party in the last governorship election. The President stressed that party supremacy must guide the process of selecting its flagbearer.
He urged all aspirants to stand behind whichever candidate emerges from the consensus arrangement, noting that unity and discipline remain essential for the party’s success. “You have a responsibility to ensure our party’s candidate wins the next election in Osun State. Strengthen your unity, respect party supremacy, and uphold collective responsibility,” he said. Tinubu added that he had full confidence in their ability to return the state to the APC.
At the end of the meeting, the aspirants and party leaders released a joint declaration in which they committed to supporting the party’s decision on the consensus candidate. They affirmed their loyalty to the APC and agreed to accept the outcome of the nomination process scheduled for December 13.
In the declaration, they pledged to maintain peace, promote cohesion within the party, and avoid any actions that could undermine the integrity of the exercise. They also vowed to work individually and collectively to ensure the party’s victory in the 2025 Osun governorship election and to strengthen governance in the state.
The statement concluded with the aspirants reaffirming their allegiance to the APC and expressing appreciation for the guidance provided by the President and the National Chairman.
What You Should Know
The meeting between President Tinubu and Osun APC aspirants marks a significant step in the party’s effort to prevent internal conflict ahead of the 2025 governorship election.
By endorsing a consensus arrangement, the party aims to avoid a divisive primary and present a united front against the opposition. Tinubu’s intervention underscores the importance the APC places on reclaiming Osun after losing it in the last poll.
The agreement signed by aspirants is designed to strengthen party discipline, promote internal harmony, and ensure that the eventual candidate receives full support heading into the election.
