Oyetola, Oyebamiji, others shun inauguration of Adeleke-led Tinubu Campaign Council in Osun

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, and the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Osun State, Bola Oyebamiji, were among prominent party figures absent on Thursday as Governor Ademola Adeleke inaugurated a 344-member campaign council for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

The absence of the two influential politicians, alongside several other APC chieftains, stood out at the inauguration, which brought together political leaders from across party lines to mobilise support for Tinubu ahead of the next presidential election.

Among those who attended the event were former Osun State Governor and APC chieftain, Chief Adebisi Akande; former party National Secretary, Iyiola Omisore; and the APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Basiru.

Other APC leaders present included former deputy governors Titi Laoye-Ponle and Lekan Adewoyin; former senator Babajide Omoworare; and Chief Shuaib Oyedokun.

Also in attendance were the party’s Osun Central Senatorial Leader, Adeoye Adelakun; former members of the House of Representatives, Ajibola Famurewa and Bukola Oyewo; former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Wale Afolabi; and former Registrar of the National Business and Technical Examinations Board, Professor Olu Aina.

The gathering also featured opposition figures, including former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) National Secretary, Professor Wale Oladipo; Osun PDP Chairman, Sunday Bisi; and Osun Accord Chairman, Victor Akande.

However, apart from Oyetola and Oyebamiji, Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, was also absent.

Other notable APC figures missing from the inauguration included the state party chairman, Tajudeen Lawal; former Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye; member representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, Oluwole Oke; Executive Director of Project Implementation at the Federal Housing Authority, Remi Omowaiye; and former Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Adebayo Adeleke.

The source did not indicate why the prominent politicians were absent, and it was unclear whether their non-attendance reflected political disagreements or other engagements.

Speaking at the event, Akande called on voters across the South-West to support Tinubu’s re-election, describing a second term for the President as an important political objective for the region.

The former governor argued that Tinubu, as a son of Yorubaland, deserved the opportunity to complete a second term in office. He also expressed confidence that the President would win the 2027 presidential election.

Akande further referred to a reported target of two million votes for Tinubu in Osun State, expressing hope that the state would deliver the anticipated support at the polls.

He noted that the presidential election date, January 16, 2027, coincided with his birthday and expressed the hope that the election outcome would give him additional cause for celebration.

The inauguration comes amid early political manoeuvring and mobilisation ahead of the 2027 general election, with parties and their leaders seeking to consolidate support across the country.

In Osun, the composition of the campaign council and the absence of several prominent APC figures could attract attention as the party works to coordinate its presidential campaign in a state where political alignments remain consequential to its electoral prospects.