Tinubu emphasizes unity and consensus ahead of governorship primary
President Bola Tinubu has held a crucial meeting with the governorship aspirants of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State ahead of the party’s primary election scheduled for December 13.
The high-stakes meeting took place at the State House in Abuja on Monday night, with top party leaders in attendance. The President passionately appealed to the aspirants for unity and consensus-building, stressing that internal bickering cost the APC the last governorship election in the state.
The key purpose of the meeting was to ensure that the internal differences and rivalries among the contenders do not jeopardize the party’s chances in the upcoming 2026 gubernatorial election. The President used the opportunity to address the historical causes of the party’s defeat to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the last contest. He urged all those present to put the overall success and stability of the party above individual ambitions.
Aspirants and leaders commit to consensus candidate
The meeting saw the attendance of a significant number of Osun State APC governorship aspirants. Those present included the 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. Their presence underscored the importance of the President’s intervention in the state’s political landscape.
Also in attendance were influential party leaders, including the National Chairman of the APC, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume. The Chairman of the Progressive Governors Forum, Hope Uzodimma, and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, were also present to lend weight to the President’s call for unity. At the conclusion of the meeting, the aspirants and leaders issued a joint statement.
President harps on party supremacy to ensure victory
President Tinubu praised all the aspirants for their individual contributions and commitment to the growth and development of the APC in Osun State. He emphasized the paramount importance of party supremacy, charging the aspirants to allow the party’s decision-making process to prevail in choosing the flagbearer. The President argued that only the party, operating under a unified front, can truly benefit from a victory in the general election.
He issued a direct challenge to the political hopefuls, stating that they all have a duty and obligation to the party to ensure the APC candidate wins the next election. He advised them to strengthen the bonds of unity and collective responsibility among themselves. The President concluded with a strong assurance: “I have absolute confidence in your ability to deliver victory to our party in Osun State. You have my support and that of the National leadership of APC to win the coming election.”
Aspirants pledge loyalty and reject acts of disunity
The joint statement, signed by all the aspirants and the APC leaders present, affirmed the supremacy of the party in determining the most appropriate process for selecting the flagbearer. The statement explicitly declared that the signatories would “unanimously agree to abide by the party’s decision to nominate a consensus candidate” for affirmation at the primary election. This declaration is a key outcome designed to prevent internal rancor after the primary.
The aspirants also committed themselves to accepting the outcome of the party-led nomination process in good faith, pledging their total support to the candidate eventually nominated and affirmed. Crucially, they committed not to engage in any act, whether public or private, that might undermine the integrity of the process or the standing of the party. The overall goal is to work collectively and individually to ensure the success of the APC at the polls and the consolidation of good governance in Osun State.
The need for consensus stems from past electoral defeat
The intense focus on consensus and unity stems from the bitter experience of the last governorship election, which the APC lost due to internal strife. The defeat exposed deep divisions within the state chapter, which the PDP successfully exploited. The leadership is determined to avoid a repeat of that situation, viewing internal cohesion as the non-negotiable prerequisite for electoral victory in 2026.
The declaration concluded by stating that the aspirants made the commitment voluntarily, in absolute loyalty to the great party and in recognition of the guidance provided by the President and the National Chairman. This public declaration signals a temporary truce and a commitment to stability in the overriding interest of the progress and welfare of Osun State. The primary election is now expected to proceed with less open conflict, provided all parties honor the terms of the agreement.
