Former Ogun State Governor and elder statesman, Chief Olusegun Osoba, has alleged that there is a coordinated political move in Southern Nigeria aimed at weakening President Bola Tinubu’s chances in the 2027 presidential election.
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Osoba made the allegation at the Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta during the announcement of the result of the All Progressives Congress presidential primary in Ogun State, where Tinubu polled 322,485 votes while his sole challenger, Stanley Osifo, scored zero votes.
The former governor warned APC members not to be deceived by claims that Tinubu has no serious opponent ahead of the election, insisting that the ruling party must prepare seriously for what he described as the “real election” coming next January.
According to him, opposition forces are working to field several presidential candidates from the South in order to divide votes from the region and reduce Tinubu’s electoral strength.
“I want to appeal to us all ahead of the coming election: let us not be caught off guard. Many people are saying we have no opponents, but that is a misleading narrative. The enemies are many,” Osoba said.
He specifically mentioned former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi; Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde; and former President Goodluck Jonathan, whom he said was “quietly waiting in the background,” as figures whose possible presidential ambitions could split Southern votes against Tinubu.
“As we approach the next election, there is a strong gang-up against us. They are plotting to field several candidates from our region in the South. Obi has emerged, Jonathan is quietly waiting in the background, and Makinde has been grandstanding. All these appear to be attempts to divide votes from the South,” he stated.
Osoba urged APC members in Ogun State to mobilise massively for Tinubu, saying the President had supported the state through several developmental projects.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, who served as the Ogun State coordinator and collation officer for the APC presidential primary, announced the result in the presence of party leaders, including Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziak Salako, APC governorship candidate Senator Solomon Adeola, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, and Ogun APC Chairman, Yemi Sanusi.
Osoba said the APC must not treat the election casually, stressing that Tinubu’s supporters must work hard to counter what he described as a deliberate strategy to reduce the President’s support base in the South.
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