Osun State APC governorship aspirants have publicly pledged to unite and support a consensus candidate, following a strategic meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
The meeting, held on Monday night, was confirmed in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, on Wednesday, December 10.
Those in attendance included 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.
Senior APC leaders, including National Chairman Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, SGF Senator George Akume, Progressive Governors’ Forum Chairman Hope Uzodimma, and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola, also attended.
Tinubu emphasised the need for cohesion among the aspirants, citing past factional disputes as a reason for the party’s loss in previous elections.
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“You all have a duty and obligation to the party by ensuring the candidate of our party wins the next election in Osun State. You must strengthen the bonds of unity, party supremacy and collective responsibility,” he said.
He added, “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.”
The president urged aspirants to close ranks, respect party authority, and support the candidate chosen through the party-led process.
Following the meeting, APC leaders and aspirants released a joint declaration, affirming the party’s authority to manage the nomination process, committing to the consensus arrangement, and vowing to avoid any actions that could weaken the party.
The group also pledged to work together to secure victory in the 2026 Osun governorship election and promote stability and good governance across the state.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has instructed political parties to submit their governorship candidates by December 15 ahead of the August 8, 2026 poll.