President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has met with about 76 leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State in a move aimed at resolving internal grievances and strengthening the party ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
The late-night meeting, held at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, reportedly followed an intelligence briefing by the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, on growing disquiet among some APC leaders in the state.
According to sources who attended the meeting, the NSA reportedly informed the President that some party leaders felt excluded from the affairs of the party and the ongoing campaign for the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO.
The development was said to have prompted President Tinubu to summon the affected leaders to Abuja to hear their concerns and encourage reconciliation ahead of the election.
The APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru, was reportedly tasked with coordinating the leaders and facilitating their movement to Abuja.
Some of the leaders who reportedly attended the meeting included 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; former presidential aide Babajide Omoworare; Alhaji Shuaib Oyedokun; Poju Odusola; Bode Olanipekun and other prominent party stakeholders.
One of the attendees, who spoke anonymously, said the meeting provided an opportunity for party leaders to openly express their grievances before the President.
The source claimed that some leaders complained about perceived marginalisation in the distribution of federal appointments and alleged that several appointments involving Osun stakeholders had largely favoured members of the camp associated with former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
The source quoted President Tinubu as urging the leaders not to allow internal disagreements to undermine the party’s chances at the governorship election.
According to the source, the President reminded the leaders of the consequences of previous electoral defeats and urged them to work collectively for the success of the party.
Tinubu was also said to have assured the aggrieved leaders that there would be opportunities for more Osun stakeholders to benefit from the Federal Government.
The meeting reportedly ended with an understanding among the leaders to close ranks and work towards the victory of Oyebamiji at the August 15 poll.
The Osun APC Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Olabisi, confirmed that the meeting took place but declined to provide further details.
“Yes, I am aware. That is all I can say,” he reportedly said.
A source close to the APC National Secretary also confirmed Basiru’s involvement, describing the meeting as part of efforts to unite party stakeholders and ensure victory for the APC candidate.
According to the source, the party cannot afford to enter the election with unresolved grievances among its leaders.
Accord, APC Clash Over Alleged Election Hacking
Meanwhile, political tension in Osun State has taken another dimension following allegations by the Accord Party that the APC is harbouring alleged hackers ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The allegation was contained in a statement issued by the Accord Party Chairman in Osun State, Victor Akande.
Akande alleged that individuals described as hackers had been brought into Osogbo from Lagos and Abuja and were operating from a hotel in the state capital.
He further alleged that the individuals were being positioned to compromise the electronic systems of the Independent National Electoral Commission and manipulate election results.
The Accord Party called on security agencies to investigate the allegation and urged INEC to strengthen its digital security infrastructure ahead of the election.
The party also called for action against what it described as alleged illegal operational centres.
However, the Osun APC dismissed the allegation as false and baseless.
APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi accused the Accord Party of attempting to create unnecessary fear ahead of the election, insisting that the APC had no need to manipulate the poll to secure victory for its candidate.
He challenged the Accord Party to report any genuine evidence of electoral malpractice to the appropriate security agencies.
The competing allegations have further heightened political tension in the state as the major parties intensify their campaigns and mobilisation efforts ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
With the APC leadership now seeking to reconcile aggrieved stakeholders while the opposition raises concerns over the integrity of the electoral process, the coming days are expected to be crucial to the political contest.
The Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies are expected to ensure that the election is conducted in a transparent, credible and peaceful manner, while all political parties and their supporters are expected to abide by the rules governing the electoral process.
