Osun APC Crisis Deepens as Party Officials Reject 168-Member Tinubu Campaign Council

The leadership crisis within the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has deepened after some members of the State Working Committee rejected the newly released Presidential Campaign Council list, questioning its composition and the emergence of a separate campaign structure.

The aggrieved officials described the list as inconsistent with established party guidelines, due process and the principle of inclusiveness, insisting that it should be reviewed before implementation.

Their position was contained in a statement signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Wole Adunola, and co-signed by the Welfare Officer, Deaconess Adesola Ayangbile; Assistant Organising Secretary, Rasheed Adeniji; and Ex-Officio member, Abiola Ololade.

“We therefore reject the list in its present form,” the officials declared.

The disputed list is a 168-member presidential and parliamentary campaign council unveiled on Monday by the Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal. The party’s governorship candidate in the last election, Bola Oyebamiji, was named Director-General, while Lawal was appointed his deputy.

However, the protesting officials expressed concern over the alleged exclusion of several State Working Committee members who, they argued, should automatically belong to the campaign council under applicable party guidelines.

They said the omission raised questions about consultation, due process and respect for the party’s established leadership structure.

The officials also questioned why the new council appeared to contradict an earlier presidential directive reportedly naming Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke as Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council in the state.

They recalled that Adeleke had subsequently inaugurated a broad-based campaign team to coordinate President Bola Tinubu’s campaign across Osun State.

The governor, who is associated with the Accord Party, was reportedly named state coordinator of the Tinubu campaign by the APC national leadership.

On October 22, Adeleke inaugurated a 344-member campaign council in Osogbo at an event attended by the APC National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru. However, Lawal and Oyebamiji were reportedly absent from the ceremony.

The protesting officials suggested that the newly released 168-member list could be more understandable if it was intended for the parliamentary campaign rather than the presidential campaign.

“If the newly released list is intended to serve as a Parliamentary Campaign Council rather than the Presidential Campaign Council, its composition would be more understandable.

“This distinction must be clearly established to avoid confusion, duplication of responsibilities, and unnecessary friction within the party’s campaign structure,” they said.

They maintained that the State Executive Committee remained an important part of the APC’s organisational structure, stressing that an effective campaign required mutual respect, proper coordination and the involvement of recognised party stakeholders.

The officials consequently called for an immediate review of the published list, with consultations involving relevant stakeholders, including Basiru and the state campaign Director-General.

Despite their objections, the signatories reaffirmed their loyalty to the APC and President Tinubu, insisting that their concerns were intended to prevent divisions within the party.

“Our commitment to the APC and the success of our presidential candidate remains unwavering,” they said.

They, however, cautioned that party loyalty should not prevent members from raising concerns when decisions could create avoidable divisions and weaken collective efforts.

The officials urged the APC leadership at both state and national levels to address the disagreement and make the necessary corrections.

“Our position is clear: we need a campaign council that respects party structures, recognises legitimate leadership, accommodates critical stakeholders, and unites all members towards electoral victory,” they added.