There is growing tension among members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun and Anambra States after President Bola Tinubu met with Governors Ademola Adeleke and Chukwuma Soludo, raising concerns about loyalty and party unity ahead of the 2026 governorship elections.
In Osun, some APC members are upset over Governor Adeleke’s recent visit to Tinubu’s residence in Lagos. Adeleke, who is a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), visited Tinubu alongside his brother, billionaire Deji Adeleke, and popular singer Davido on June 3.
This visit has sparked speculation that Adeleke may be planning to join the APC. The rumour became stronger after the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, also visited Adeleke at the Osun State Government House in May.
Reacting to these events, Osun APC leaders loyal to former Governor Gboyega Oyetola expressed strong opposition.
At a press conference, former Speaker of the Osun House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, said, “Adeleke is not welcome in the APC. Our party’s ticket is not for sale.”
He added, “If not for fear of losing the next election, the Adeleke family and the PDP would not be thinking of joining our party.”
Osun APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi also expressed doubt about Adeleke’s chances if he runs under the PDP.
“He knows he can’t win on the PDP platform anymore. He’s trying to come into our party to hijack our hard work,” Olabisi said.
He questioned Adeleke’s visits to APC leaders, saying, “Why did he visit President Tinubu and APC pioneer chairman Bisi Akande if he truly has nothing to do with our party?”
But the PDP dismissed the APC’s fears. Osun PDP spokesperson Oladele Bamiji said the APC was being “naive and arrogant” for acting like Tinubu belongs only to them.
“The APC should stop expecting the President and Governor to be enemies. They are leaders of the country and should meet to discuss governance. Maybe some people in APC are scared because they know they can’t win a fair election in Osun,” he said.
Meanwhile, a senior aide to Governor Adeleke explained the reason behind his visit. According to him, the governor met with the President to discuss the crisis in local governments in the state and to request that the Attorney General release withheld funds.
The aide said, “There is no plan to join the APC. The governor just wants a fair election and a level playing field.”
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Similarly, in Anambra State, some APC members are worried after Tinubu visited the state on May 8 to commission projects completed by Governor Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Although the visit was official, it led to rumours that Tinubu might be supporting Soludo’s re-election bid in 2025.
But the APC in Anambra has denied any alliance.
The party’s state chairman, Basil Ejidike, said, “Our candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, has met the President. There is no alliance between the APC and APGA.”
Chief Osita Ibeh, APC Deputy Publicity Secretary in Anambra, warned Soludo’s supporters not to mislead the public.
“President Tinubu has told us to go and win Anambra. He didn’t endorse anyone from another party,” he said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the Osun governorship election for August 6, 2026, and the Anambra election for November 8, 2025.
As the elections approach, APC members are watching closely to see where the President’s true support lies.