The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has complained that it was not consulted before the inauguration of the state presidential campaign committee for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, raising concerns about coordination within the campaign structure.
In a statement issued on Thursday, 22 October 2026, and signed by its chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, the party said it learnt about the planned inauguration through a list of committee members shared on social media by Olawale Rasheed, spokesperson for Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The inauguration went ahead despite the state APC’s objections to the short notice and lack of prior consultation. The committee is part of efforts to mobilise political support for Tinubu ahead of the presidential election scheduled for 16 January 2027.
Osun APC Objects to Short Notice
According to Lawal, the party became aware of the planned inauguration only after the governor’s spokesperson published the names of committee members on Wednesday afternoon.
He argued that less than 12 hours’ notice was insufficient for an exercise involving the re-election campaign of Nigeria’s president. The short notice, he said, meant that some party leaders, members and supporters who might otherwise have attended were effectively excluded.
Lawal also questioned the decision to publish the committee membership less than 24 hours before the event without first consulting the APC’s leadership in the state.
The chairman maintained that a campaign of this scale required proper planning, formal communication and coordination with the relevant party structures.
His comments reflect the state chapter’s concern about the process used to organise the campaign committee rather than an outright rejection of Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Party Reaffirms Support for Tinubu
Despite its criticism, the Osun APC insisted that it remained committed to securing Tinubu’s re-election.
Lawal described the campaign as a collective responsibility and said the party had been working towards that objective. He maintained, however, that the process should follow appropriate procedures to ensure effective cooperation among political leaders and stakeholders.
The state chairman also rejected any suggestion that the party was unwilling to work with other political groups in support of the president.
Instead, he argued that proper consultation was necessary to prevent misunderstandings and ensure that the campaign operated effectively.
This distinction is central to the party’s position: it says it supports the political objective but objects to how the committee’s inauguration was organised.
Why Is Ademola Adeleke Coordinating Tinubu’s Campaign in Osun?
One unusual feature of the arrangement is the appointment of Governor Ademola Adeleke as the Osun State coordinator of Tinubu’s presidential campaign.
Adeleke, who secured his second term in 2026 on the platform of the Accord Party after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party, was named to the campaign role by the APC’s national leadership. The appointment places him in a campaign structure supporting a presidential candidate from a different political party.
The arrangement reflects an attempt to build a broader political coalition around Tinubu’s re-election bid in Osun State.
According to reporting on the inauguration, the committee brings together political figures and stakeholders associated with the APC, Accord and PDP. Its membership includes prominent politicians and current and former public officeholders.
The coalition is intended to concentrate support on the presidential election. Adeleke has stated that the cooperation does not automatically extend to legislative contests, where participating parties may continue to support their respective candidates.
The arrangement nevertheless presents a coordination challenge. Bringing political actors from different parties into one campaign requires agreement on responsibilities, communication and the management of competing interests.
The Osun APC’s complaint suggests that consultation with established party structures will be important if the coalition is to function smoothly.
Could the Disagreement Affect Tinubu’s Campaign?
The immediate disagreement centres on communication and procedure. However, disagreements over campaign arrangements can create difficulties if they leave key stakeholders feeling excluded.
Political campaigns depend on coordination among party executives, local organisers, elected officials, candidates and grassroots supporters. These groups often have established structures and expectations about how decisions should be made.
If those structures are not adequately consulted, campaign organisers may face difficulties securing cooperation, even where the participants broadly support the same objective.
In this case, the Osun APC has publicly reaffirmed its support for Tinubu. Its statement does not establish that the party intends to withdraw from the campaign.
The practical question is whether the state chapter and the campaign leadership can resolve their concerns and establish a working relationship before the election.
A clarification of responsibilities, better communication and direct engagement with party leaders could help reduce the risk of further disagreements.
Background: Osun’s Changing Political Alliances
Osun State has experienced significant political competition among the APC, PDP and Accord. The movement of political figures between parties and the formation of new alliances have added complexity to the state’s political landscape.
Adeleke’s appointment as Tinubu’s campaign coordinator is notable because it brings a governor elected under another party into the president’s re-election campaign structure.
The arrangement demonstrates how political cooperation can cross party boundaries when participants share a particular electoral objective. However, such cooperation does not necessarily eliminate differences over party identity, local influence or campaign management.
The APC’s latest statement highlights the importance of balancing a broader coalition with the participation of the party’s established state organisation.
For the campaign, the challenge is not simply assembling a list of prominent names. It is ensuring that the people expected to deliver political support understand their roles and are involved in the process.
What Happens Next?
The focus now turns to how the campaign leadership and the Osun APC address the concerns raised by Lawal.
The state chapter has said it supports Tinubu’s re-election but wants future arrangements handled with proper consultation and official protocol.
Further engagement between the campaign coordinator and the party leadership could help clarify the committee’s structure, responsibilities and communication procedures.
As the 16 January 2027 presidential election approaches, the effectiveness of the campaign will depend partly on whether the coalition can translate its broad membership into coordinated political activity.
For now, the Osun APC’s position is clear: it is not rejecting Tinubu’s re-election campaign, but it believes the process used to organise the committee should have involved the party’s state leadership from the outset.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why did the Osun APC complain about Tinubu’s campaign committee?
The Osun APC said it was not informed about the committee’s inauguration before its membership was announced publicly. State chairman Tajudeen Lawal argued that the notice was too short and that the party’s state leadership should have been consulted. Despite these objections, the party reaffirmed its support for Tinubu’s re-election.
2. Who is coordinating Tinubu’s presidential campaign in Osun State?
Governor Ademola Adeleke was appointed Osun State coordinator of Tinubu’s presidential campaign. Adeleke won his second term under the Accord Party after leaving the PDP. His appointment brings a governor from outside the APC into the president’s campaign structure as part of a broader political coalition.
3. When is Nigeria’s 2027 presidential election scheduled?
The presidential election is scheduled for 16 January 2027, according to the reports cited in this article. Campaign organisations and political parties are preparing to mobilise support ahead of the vote. Readers should consult official electoral announcements for any subsequent changes to the election timetable.
4. Does the Osun APC oppose Tinubu’s re-election?
The statement signed by Tajudeen Lawal says the Osun APC supports Tinubu’s re-election. The party’s objection concerns the organisation and communication surrounding the campaign committee’s inauguration. It argues that consultation and proper procedures are necessary to secure effective cooperation among party leaders and campaign stakeholders.
5. Why are politicians from different parties working together on Tinubu’s campaign?
The campaign arrangement seeks to bring together political figures and supporters from different parties behind a shared presidential election objective. Such alliances can broaden a campaign’s political reach, but they also require clear responsibilities and coordination. The Osun APC’s complaint illustrates why consultation with participating party structures can matter when building a cross-party coalition.
