Oyetola, Osun APC Chairman Absent as Adeleke Inaugurates Tinubu Campaign Council in Osogbo

Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola and Osun State APC Chairman Tajudeen Lawal were conspicuously absent on Thursday as Governor Ademola Adeleke inaugurated a 344-member campaign council for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in Osogbo.

The inauguration, held ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election, was attended by former Osun Governor Bisi Akande, APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, and leaders from the APC, PDP and Accord Party.

The absentees also included Bola Oyebamiji, the APC’s 2026 governorship candidate, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, former Speaker Timothy Owoeye, and former Commissioner Adebayo Adeleke.

Their absence came a day after Lawal said the state APC was not formally informed about the event and only learnt of it through a social media announcement by the governor’s spokesperson.

Lawal stated that while the party was not opposed to Adeleke coordinating Tinubu’s re-election campaign, such an exercise required proper protocol.

“We are talking about the re-election of the President of the nation under the largest democratic party in sub-Saharan Africa, and not the election of a council chairman or a councillor,” he said.

Speaking at the event, Basiru urged party members to support Adeleke regardless of party differences. “There is no ambition or ego that is greater than ensuring President Bola Tinubu is re-elected,” he said.

Akande also called on the South-West to back Tinubu’s second term, noting that the region had a son as President and he was entitled to two terms in office.