President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed his commitment to internal cohesion within the All Progressives Congress (APC), as he met with leading aspirants from Osun State in Abuja on Tuesday. The closed-door session, held at the Presidential Villa, was convened amid growing concerns over internal disputes, disqualification controversies, and strained relationships within the party ahead of the forthcoming governorship primaries.
At the meeting which also had the National Chairman of the Party, Hon Nentawe Yilwatda, SGF, George Akume, Chairman of Progressive Governors of Nigeria, Governor Hope Uzodinma and Former Governor of Osun State and Minister For Blue Economy and Marine, Gboyega Oyetola in attendance, President Tinubu appealed to all aspirants to place party unity above personal ambition, noting that a divided house would jeopardize the APC’s chances at the upcoming election. He emphasized the need for discipline, transparency, and collective responsibility as the party prepares for a crucial electoral showdown in the state.
However, noticeable at the meeting was the absence of one of the party’s prominent aspirants, Engineer Iyiola Omisore. His non-attendance has drawn attention, especially as the former National Secretary of the party has been identified as a central figure in Osun APC politics. Party sources suggest his absence may not be unconnected with perceived grievances over the screening processes that recently disqualified certain aspirants from the primaries.
The fallout from the disqualification has deepened internal disputes, leading to calls for intervention from the party’s highest leadership structure. Some aspirants have expressed displeasure over what they described as selective exclusion, urging the national leadership to review decisions taken by screening committees.
Tinubu, according to insiders at the meeting, assured all stakeholders that no injustice would be allowed to threaten the party. He reaffirmed that the APC remains stronger when aspirants adhere to democratic processes rather than internal strife.
The President also encouraged reconciliation efforts and hinted at setting up follow-up engagement channels to resolve grievances. Meanwhile, loyalists of disqualified aspirants continue to mount pressure for reconsideration, a development expected to shape discussions in the days ahead.
Political observers believe the coming weeks will determine whether the APC enters the Osun governorship primaries united or divided, an outcome that could significantly influence its performance at the polls.
