NewStats: 3,265,015 , 8,185,337 topics. Date: Friday, 13 June 2025 at 07:26 AM 3n4e6i

of the All Progressives Congress in Osun and Anambra states have been unsettled by President Bola Tinubu’s ties with their state governors, findings by Sunday PUNCH have revealed.

The aggrieved argued that Tinubu’s open show of for Governors Ademola Adeleke (Osun) and Chukwuma Soludo (Anambra) could jeopardise the chances of the party’s candidates in the respective governorship elections.

In Osun, some APC leaders, especially those loyal to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, were unhappy with Adeleke’s recent visit to Tinubu at his Lagos residence.

On June 3, Adeleke, alongside his billionaire businessman brother, Dr Deji Adeleke, and his nephew, Afrobeat star, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido, met Tinubu in Lagos.

Earlier, on May 20, the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila, after delivering the maiden annual lecture at the Osun State University, Osogbo, also visited Adeleke at the Government House.

The visitation to Tinubu fuelled reports of the purported move by Adeleke to the APC amid the defection of PDP governors to the party.

Both Adeleke and APC ers also took to social media to debate the possibility of the governor ing the ruling party.

Sunday PUNCH noted that some of Adeleke’s ers, who were known for criticising Tinubu and the APC, switched to rationalise the purported move by the governor to the party after he visited Tinubu.

In a sharp reaction to the development, some of Oyetola’s loyalists criticised the visit.

They expressed fear of a repeat of what happened in Oyo State, where Tinubu pitched his tent with an opposition governor, Seyi Makinde, against the governorship candidate of the party in the 2023 election, Teslim Folarin.

In a press conference addressed by the APC leaders, led by the former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, the APC declared that Adeleke was not welcome in the APC and that the party’s ticket was not for sale.

The APC leaders claimed that Adeleke was afraid of defeat, hence his “desperate move” to dump the PDP and the ruling party.

“I want to tell you that if not for the fear of the unknown that is disturbing the Adeleke family and the PDP, they wouldn’t have been showing the intention of coming to the APC,” Owoeye said.

Also speaking to one of our correspondents, the Osun APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, insisted that Adeleke was unsure of his victory in the next governorship election if he contested on the platform of the PDP.

Olabisi, who said Osun APC was not bothered about the governor’s meeting with Tinubu, added that all the factors that worked in favour of the incumbent in the 2022 governorship poll were no longer available.

He said Adeleke was making moves to the APC at all costs to rob the party of its victory.

Olabisi said, “We spoke against Adeleke because it is on record that he told the whole world that he has nothing to do with the APC. Why is he hobnobbing with the national leader of the APC if he has nothing to do with the party?

“Why did he visit the pioneer National Chairman of the APC, Chief Bisi Akande, whom he met some months ago? There cannot be smoke without fire. We are sure of our facts, but there is information we can’t disclose yet.”

“He is making moves to the APC, but the coast is not clear. He has been meeting a brick wall. If he is sure of his party’s popularity, why is he after ours?”

However, the state PDP spokesperson, Oladele Bamiji, said APC in the state were naive and arrogant for claiming sole ownership of the President.

He added that Osun APC expected Tinubu and Adeleke to fight, forgetting that both, as leaders of the entire federation and a prominent unit of the country respectively, would have reasons to meet and discuss governance and political issues.

The PDP spokesperson further said the APC was unwilling to work but hoped to dislodge Adeleke through the of the President.

“For us in Osun PDP, I don’t see any big deal in the governor meeting the President. Apart from the ongoing festival, I don’t understand why a governor visiting the President should be an issue, regardless of their political differences.

“Perhaps, some people have promised Osun APC that Adeleke will never see the President. Maybe some feel Adeleke’s meeting with the President has ruined their chances. Maybe because they are lazy and have already ruined their own chances ahead of time. They may be afraid of their own shadow.

“Perhaps because they know that under normal circumstances, they cannot win any election in Osun State in a free and fair contest. All they want is for the President to use whatever power he has to rig the 2026 governorship election in their favour.”

A chieftain of the APC, who spoke to Sunday PUNCH on condition of anonymity, said it would be unfair for Tinubu to accommodate Adeleke at the expense of loyal party in the state.

He said the party leadership was uneasy about Tinubu’s friendship with Adeleke, adding that they were uncertain about the President’s stance on the 2026 governorship election.

“The President is someone to be cautious about. You can’t predict his political moves. Look at how he manoeuvred in Oyo State against his own party in 2023. We don’t want that to happen in Osun.

“We don’t want Adeleke to the APC. He wants to steal the fruit of our hard work. We have remained steadfast and have won over many PDP before now. We don’t need Adeleke to win the election.”

The Osun governorship election is scheduled for August 6, 2026, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission.

Why Adeleke visited Tinubu

One of Adeleke’s senior aides, who spoke to Sunday PUNCH on Friday, revealed that the governor met Tinubu as part of efforts to find a political solution to the ongoing local government crisis in the state.

Governance has been paralysed in the 31 LGs due to workers’ withdrawal of service amid the dispute over control of councils between the PDP and APC.

The PDP and APC have been contesting control of the LGs following an Akure Appeal Court judgment, which the APC claimed reinstated the sacked chairmen and councillors elected on October 15, 2022.

The state government and the PDP, however, maintained that the court did not rule in APC’s favour, as the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission held a fresh election on February 21, 2025, resulting in a new set of LG officials.

Tinubu not in alliance with Soludo – APC


Just as in Osun, a similar situation is unfolding in Anambra State following President Tinubu’s visit to the state on May 8 to inaugurate projects executed by Soludo.

Some APC , according to findings, were unhappy with Tinubu’s visit, particularly as of the All Progressives Grand Alliance viewed the visit as an endorsement of Soludo’s second term.

The development sparked controversy in the state, with the APC insisting the visit was not an endorsement of Soludo’s second term.

The Chairman of the APC in the state, Basil Ejidike, said the party’s governorship candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, had met Tinubu to dispel rumours of an alliance with Soludo.

“Our candidate met the President at the Villa, putting an end to the lies being spread. Weeks ago, they mocked us about an alliance, but now it is clear there is no alliance between APGA and President Tinubu. We are marching to the Government House,” he said.

Similarly, the state Deputy Publicity Secretary of the APC, Chief Osita Ibeh, urged caution, stating that Tinubu never endorsed Soludo.

He said, “We can categorically state that contrary to insinuations, President Tinubu has not entered into any alliance to Soludo. There is no alliance between the APC and the ruling APGA in Anambra State.

“APC is Tinubu and Tinubu is APC, so APGA and Soludo should not deceive the people into believing they are in alliance with us. We are the APC; it is our party, we will win, and we are not partnering with anyone.

Just as in Osun, a similar situation is unfolding in Anambra State following President Tinubu’s visit to the state on May 8 to inaugurate projects executed by Soludo.

Some APC , according to findings, were unhappy with Tinubu’s visit, particularly as of the All Progressives Grand Alliance viewed the visit as an endorsement of Soludo’s second term.

The development sparked controversy in the state, with the APC insisting the visit was not an endorsement of Soludo’s second term.

The Chairman of the APC in the state, Basil Ejidike, said the party’s governorship candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, had met Tinubu to dispel rumours of an alliance with Soludo.

“Our candidate met the President at the Villa, putting an end to the lies being spread. Weeks ago, they mocked us about an alliance, but now it is clear there is no alliance between APGA and President Tinubu. We are marching to the Government House,” he said.

Similarly, the state Deputy Publicity Secretary of the APC, Chief Osita Ibeh, urged caution, stating that Tinubu never endorsed Soludo.

He said, “We can categorically state that contrary to insinuations, President Tinubu has not entered into any alliance to Soludo. There is no alliance between the APC and the ruling APGA in Anambra State.

“APC is Tinubu and Tinubu is APC, so APGA and Soludo should not deceive the people into believing they are in alliance with us. We are the APC; it is our party, we will win, and we are not partnering with anyone.

https://punchng.com/anambra-osun-polls-anxieties-in-apc-as-soludo-adeleke-court-tinubu/

So? As president, should governors from the opposition nurse grudges against him? Politics isn't like that. All these apc pauperz sef. Nobody is taking your meals away from you OK? We know.you can never survive without politics which is why all of you are running into the apc but you'll all see shocking moments in 2027. Many of you would go back to farm..

Governance. Almost all politicians are only interested in Winning next elections even if it means selling their souls. They are not interested in governance.

Life is already hard. Waking up and not having any hope of your next meal and what to live on, is really heartbreaking.

Good

This are the reasons why TINUBU remains a GODFATHER of Nigeria Politics.

I came to find out the money he pumps to governosr, wow! is huge. This are his personal wealth not even FG money.

Why Governors from different party no go loyal to him?

Okay

If not for its capacity to upturn election results to favour its candidates, APC wouldn't have bothered to fix a guber candidate for next guber election in Anambra State. APC hardly exists in Anambra State.

itumafriday:
Okay

stonebil:
This are the reasons why TINUBU remains a GODFATHER of Nigeria Politics.

I came to find out the money he pumps to governosr, wow! is huge. This are his personal wealth not even FG money.

Why Governors from different party no go loyal to him?

governor chukwuma soludo will not apc no matter the amount of money involved, he knows his people very well and he also knows that the day he leaves apga will be the end of his political carrier, Anambra nobe Lagos o

STAY OFF DRUGS




ANAMBRA IS LOCKED FOR OBI AND APGA

they are just there to feed their fat tummies, cowards who do not care for the people, you may be surprised that they may switch just few days to the elections. always willing to do anything for power especially that fat dancing one.

WE NO DEY HIDE AM....





WE ARE IGBO AND OUR WORD IS OUR BOND

Person way go loose go still loose, personnl way go rig go still rig

Even if Apga feed tumpolo what am I saying even if domestic goat dey will win Anambra state suludo should better defects after d election if he wise

stonebil:
This are the reasons why TINUBU remains a GODFATHER of Nigeria Politics.

I came to find out the money he pumps to governosr, wow! is huge. This are his personal wealth not even FG money.

Why Governors from different party no go loyal to him?

his personal wealth as father Christmas... Sometimes I wonder if some are created abi moulded without the best sandy soil

Anambra is on lockdown for APGA and Soludo. Even Tinubu will not want APC to win Anambra as it will jeopardize his strategy in south east.

For osun state, the ability of Adeleke to deliver in 2027 will be the determining factor. If Tinubu consider him effective enough to deliver him in 2027 election, then, sai gone to APC in 2026 guber election

Fingers crossed

I am sure osun will be a tough decision for Tinubu.

Considering that oyetola is his cousin.. he go hard am to make choice o.

Soludo doesn’t need Tinubu’s endorsement!

APC will not and never rule Anambra

If Soludo defects he will loose before 12pm on election day

Tinubu will select who will rule in Anambra. Soludo first and I learnt Oluomo is interested too

They can cry but we decide who rules them

Eriokanmi:
So? As president, should governors from the opposition nurse grudges with him? Politics isn't like that. All these apc pauperz sef. Nobody is taking your meals away from you OK? We know.you can never survive without politics which is why all of you are running into the apc but you'll all see shocking moments in 2027. Many of you would go back to farm..

While you obingo will go back to aso rock??

ifytrik:
governor chukwuma soludo will not apc no matter the amount of money involved, he knows his people very well and he also knows that the day he leaves apga will be the end of his political carrier, Anambra nobe Lagos o

He go shock you.

Na politicians we dey talk o. You dey go trust politician.

Peter obi no comot for apga? Heaven no fall.

This is the next Governor of Anambra State

What’s this headline?

yns4real:


https://punchng.com/anambra-osun-polls-anxieties-in-apc-as-soludo-adeleke-court-tinubu/

All na speculations no tangible substance

Exgee:
Governance. Almost all politicians are only interested in Winning next elections even if it means selling their souls. They are not interested in governance.

Life is already hard. Waking up and not having any hope of your next meal and what to live on, is really heartbreaking.

winning election is by getting the buy in and of the people or the electorate.

what these people are doing is something else

Count ANAMBRA out of that your nonsense anxiety. ANAMBRA is APGA and will remain APGA

stonebil:
This are the reasons why TINUBU remains a GODFATHER of Nigeria Politics.

I came to find out the money he pumps to governosr, wow! is huge. This are his personal wealth not even FG money.

Why Governors from different party no go loyal to him?

This is impunity at play but you guys continue to idolise these thïeeveŝ.

It appears y'all are irredeeemable !

Exgee:
Governance. Almost all politicians are only interested in Winning next elections even if it means selling their souls. They are not interested in governance.

Life is already hard. Waking up and not having any hope of your next meal and what to live on, is really heartbreaking.

When you guys are ready, no one will tell you before you 'take it back'.

Na politics . Opposition tied with other states too .

Nigeria politics and it's politicians. Winning elections is their utmost priorities.

Hmmmm

Politics shouldn't court bitterness !