Osun APC aspirants pledge to back consensus candidate after meeting with Tinubu

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Tuesday night met with All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship aspirants from Osun State at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where they collectively agreed to abide by the party’s decision to produce a consensus candidate for the December 13 primary.

The meeting, attended by eight aspirants and top party leaders, focused on preventing internal rifts that contributed to the party’s loss in the last governorship election in the state.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, those at the meeting included former Deputy Governor Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, Dotun Babayemi, Akin Ogunbiyi, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Kunle Adegoke (SAN), Babatunde Harater Oralusi, Mulikat Abiola Jimoh and Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.

Also present were APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Governor Hope Uzodimma; and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

Addressing the gathering, President Tinubu praised the aspirants for their commitment to the party and urged them to avoid divisions that could undermine APC’s chances in the forthcoming election. 

He appealed for unity, discipline and respect for party supremacy, warning against a repeat of internal disputes that enabled the Peoples Democratic Party to win the last governorship contest.

“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. 

“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”, he told them, assuring that the National leadership of the party would back the agreed candidate.

At the end of the meeting, the aspirants and party leaders issued a joint declaration committing to support the candidate who emerges through the agreed consensus process.

In the statement, they affirmed party supremacy in determining the nomination procedure, unanimously agreed to accept a consensus flagbearer, and pledged full support to whoever emerges from the process for affirmation at the December 13 primary.

They also undertook to maintain peace, unity and cohesion within the party, refrain from actions capable of undermining the process, and work collectively to secure APC victory in the 2025 Osun governorship election.

“We, the undersigned aspirants for the 2025 Osun State Governorship Election under the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC), having met and deliberated in the presence of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the National Chairman of the APC, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, and in the spirit of unity, discipline, and loyalty to our great party, hereby declare as follows:

“That we affirm and uphold the supremacy of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in guiding and determining the most appropriate process for selecting the party’s flag bearer for the 2025 Governorship Election in Osun State.

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“That we unanimously agree to abide by the party’s decision to nominate a consensus candidate for affirmation at the APC Primary Election scheduled for Saturday, 13th December 2025.

“That we accept the outcome of the party-led nomination process in good faith, and pledge our total support to the candidate so nominated and affirmed.

“That we commit ourselves to peace, unity, and cohesion within the APC, and pledge not to engage in any act, public or private, that may undermine the integrity of the process or the standing of the party.

“That we will work collectively and individually to ensure the success of the APC at the polls and the consolidation of good governance in Osun State.

“We make this declaration voluntarily, in absolute loyalty to our great party, and in recognition of the guidance provided by Mr President and the National Chairman in the overriding interest of the progress and stability of Osun State”, the statement said.