The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has expressed dissatisfaction with the process leading to the inauguration of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign committee, saying the party was not formally informed about the event.
The state chapter’s position comes amid an arrangement involving Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, who has been named coordinator of the presidential campaign committee in Osun.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Osun APC Chairman Tajudeen Lawal said the party leadership was unaware of the planned inauguration until the list of committee members appeared on social media.
According to Lawal, the list was published on Wednesday afternoon by Olawale Rasheed, spokesperson to Governor Adeleke.
He said the party received no official communication about the inauguration or prior consultation regarding the composition of the committee.
Lawal also criticised the timing of the announcement, arguing that its release less than 12 hours before the scheduled event could prevent several party leaders and members from attending.
The APC chairman, however, reaffirmed the party’s commitment to Tinubu’s re-election, describing the campaign as a collective responsibility that required proper planning and coordination.
He maintained that an exercise aimed at securing a second term for an APC president should be conducted through an organised process that allows relevant party stakeholders to participate.
The Osun APC also expressed concern that the arrangement could create unnecessary tension between the party and Adeleke, who belongs to another political platform.
Lawal alleged that the way the committee was constituted could encourage avoidable misunderstandings between the APC and the governor, who was appointed to coordinate the campaign in the state.
Despite its reservations, the party said it remained prepared to make concessions in the interest of Tinubu’s re-election bid.
It stressed, however, that cooperation among political stakeholders should be accompanied by adequate consultation to ensure the campaign achieves its objectives.
The party also acknowledged that Adeleke’s participation could improve Tinubu’s electoral prospects in Osun by creating opportunities for cooperation across party lines.
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The committee’s inauguration was scheduled to hold in Osogbo on Thursday. Former Osun governors Bisi Akande and Adegboyega Oyetola were among the dignitaries expected at the event.
The campaign council reportedly includes political leaders, elected officials, former lawmakers, party executives and other stakeholders drawn from the APC, the Accord Party and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).