A fresh disagreement has emerged within the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) following the release of a separate Presidential Campaign Council list, with some members of the party’s State Working Committee rejecting its composition and questioning the emergence of another campaign structure.
The aggrieved party officials expressed dissatisfaction with the 168-member Presidential and Parliamentary Campaign Council unveiled by the state APC chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, arguing that the list failed to comply with established party guidelines and the principle of inclusiveness.
In a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Wole Adunola, the officials formally rejected the list in its current form.
Other signatories included the State Welfare Officer, Deaconess Adesola Ayangbile; Assistant Organising Secretary, Rasheed Adeniji; and Ex-Officio member, Abiola Ololade.
They accused the party leadership of excluding several members of the State Working Committee who, according to them, should have been automatically included in the campaign council under the party’s established guidelines.
The officials maintained that the manner in which the list was constituted raised questions about consultation, due process and respect for the party’s internal leadership structure.
DISAGREEMENT OVER ADELEKE’S APPOINTMENT
A major source of the disagreement is the emergence of a separate campaign structure despite an earlier directive reportedly naming Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke as the Director-General of President Bola Tinubu’s Presidential Campaign Council in the state.
Following the directive, Adeleke inaugurated a 344-member campaign council in Osogbo on October 22, 2026, to coordinate activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The inauguration was attended by prominent APC figures, including the party’s National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, former governor Bisi Akande and former deputy governors Iyiola Omisore and Titi Laoye-Ponnle.
However, the absence of former governor and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, the party’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, and state chairman Tajudeen Lawal attracted attention.
The development subsequently generated questions about the level of agreement among the party’s leadership over the composition and control of the campaign structure.
The four aggrieved officials argued that the newly released list appeared inconsistent with the earlier presidential directive and questioned why another structure had emerged without adequate clarification or coordination.
OFFICIALS DEMAND REVIEW OF CAMPAIGN COUNCIL
The party officials suggested that the controversy could be resolved if the newly released list was intended for parliamentary campaigns rather than the presidential campaign.
They explained that clearly distinguishing between the two responsibilities would help prevent duplication of duties, confusion and unnecessary disagreements within the party.
They also insisted that the Osun APC State Executive Committee remained an important part of the party’s organisational structure and should not be sidelined in decisions concerning statewide political activities.
Consequently, they called for an immediate review of the campaign council list, with consultations involving relevant stakeholders, including the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, and the state campaign Director-General.
According to them, a successful electoral campaign requires proper coordination, mutual respect and the participation of all recognised stakeholders.
They urged the party’s leadership at both state and national levels to address the complaints and make the necessary adjustments before the disagreements escalate further.
OYEBAMIJI HEADS THE NEW 168-MEMBER COUNCIL
The campaign council released by the state APC chairman has Bola Oyebamiji, the party’s governorship candidate in the forthcoming August 2026 Osun governorship election, as its Director-General.
Lawal was named Deputy Director-General, while Oyebamiji’s running mate, Benjamin Adereti, and Kehinde Olamolu were appointed Assistant Directors-General.
The council also includes the three APC senatorial candidates, nine House of Representatives candidates and several prominent party members.
Other notable figures on the list include former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Foluke Etteh; former deputy governors Adeleke Adewoyin, Iyiola Omisore, Titi Laoye-Ponnle and Adegboyega Alabi; retired General Alani Akinrinade; Nigeria’s Ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode; and the party’s state spokesperson, Kola Olabisi.
The state chairman explained that the council was established to strengthen the party’s mobilisation efforts and secure support for Tinubu’s re-election, as well as APC candidates contesting National and State Assembly seats in 2027.
ADELEKE SAYS HIS SUPPORT IS FOR TINUBU
Governor Ademola Adeleke had earlier maintained that his involvement in the presidential campaign was specifically aimed at supporting Tinubu’s re-election.
At the October 22 inauguration, the governor reportedly made it clear that his commitment to Tinubu did not extend to supporting APC candidates contesting legislative positions in Osun State.
This position has added another dimension to the disagreement, particularly as the party seeks to coordinate support for its presidential and other candidates in the forthcoming elections.
The four officials who rejected the new list, however, insisted that their position should not be interpreted as opposition to Tinubu’s re-election ambition.
They reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC and commitment to the President’s electoral success, stressing that internal disagreements should be addressed through dialogue rather than allowed to weaken the party.
They concluded that the party needed a campaign structure that recognises established leadership, accommodates legitimate stakeholders and brings members together ahead of the 2027 general elections.
