Osun APC Crisis Deepens as Chieftain Demands Chairman’s Removal

•Adeleke denies deal with APC on sharing 2027 legislative seats

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State, Jumoke Ogunkeyede, has demanded a total overhaul of the party’s structure in the state, including the removal of its chairman, Tajudeen Lawal.

Ogunkeyede made the demand in an open letter to the APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, amid growing concerns over the party’s organisation following its defeat in the August 16 governorship election.

He accused the party leadership and its elders of failing to provide the direction needed to rebuild the APC, warning that many loyal members could abandon the party unless urgent steps were taken.

According to him, the APC needs to be rebuilt “from ground zero” to make it strong enough to win the 2027 elections, particularly President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in the state.

Ogunkeyede also criticised the APC Elders Caucus and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, alleging that loyal party members had been neglected.

He said the political arrangement between Adeleke and the APC leadership to support Tinubu’s re-election had not been properly communicated to members at the grassroots.

He described the state APC chairman as a good man but argued that the demands of leading the party had become too heavy for him.

“The burden of leadership for Osun APC is too big for Taju Lawal. He is a good young man. The task is too heavy for him. His shoe size is size eight while Osun wears size twelve,” he said.

Ogunkeyede insisted that the APC must reorganise its structure and involve its members if it hopes to regain political relevance in the state.

The development comes as Governor Ademola Adeleke denied entering into any agreement with the APC to share legislative or local government positions ahead of the 2027 elections.

Adeleke, through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, described reports of a political position-sharing arrangement as “mere fabrication and fake news.”

He said his administration was only working with stakeholders to resolve the local government crisis and that the political understanding with the coalition partners was limited to supporting Tinubu’s presidential re-election.

“All other legislative positions are open for competition. I will work and campaign for Accord candidates for Senate, House of Representatives and the state House of Assembly,” Adeleke said.

He reiterated the position on Thursday while speaking through his deputy, Kola Adewusi, at the inauguration of the campaign committee for the re-election of Osun West Senatorial candidate of the Accord, Lere Oyewumi, in Ede.

Adeleke said voters should expect the APC at the presidential level but Accord candidates in the National and State Assembly elections.

“Let me state again that we are only going to vote for the All Progressives Congress in the presidential election only. The National and State Assembly elections will be for the Accord. There should be no confusion among the voters,” he said.

The governor had earlier been appointed by Tinubu as the presidential campaign coordinator in Osun State, following the political alliance aimed at securing the President’s re-election in 2027.

At the inauguration of the 344-member campaign council, however, some prominent APC figures, including Oyetola and the party’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, were absent.

Former governor Bisi Akande led other APC chieftains at the event, which was also attended by Basiru, former National Secretary Iyiola Omisore and other party leaders.

Adeleke’s position on the legislative elections was also backed by Oyewumi, who said the governor’s performance and leadership would help the Accord candidate secure victory in Osun West.

The senator, who is Deputy Minority Leader in the National Assembly, promised further development in the district, including roads, schools, healthcare facilities, water and solar streetlights.

The contrasting positions have added a new dimension to the political realignment in Osun ahead of the 2027 elections, with the APC seeking to rebuild after its governorship defeat while Adeleke’s political camp works to maintain its separate identity despite its alliance with the President at the presidential level.