The crisis rocking the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has deepened following allegations by a group within the party that the concentration of political appointments and elective positions around the camp of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola contributed significantly to the party’s defeat in the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
The Osun APC Stakeholders Forum, in an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, accused Oyetola, who is the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, of running an exclusionary political structure that allegedly alienated party elders, grassroots members and other critical stakeholders.
The letter, signed by the Forum’s Coordinator, Professor Akin Adeyanju, and Secretary, Honourable Sola Ajay, commended President Tinubu for his support for the party before and after the election but expressed disappointment over the APC’s loss.
The stakeholders argued that the outcome could have been different if the leadership of the party had embraced wider consultations and accommodated divergent interests within the state chapter.
According to the group, Oyetola allegedly used his influence to determine appointments to several federal political positions, favouring what it described as his allies, associates and individuals from his political base.
The forum also alleged that the former governor single-handedly influenced the emergence of the APC’s governorship and deputy governorship candidates, three senatorial candidates, nine House of Representatives candidates and 26 House of Assembly candidates.
It said the alleged concentration of political opportunities in one camp weakened internal cohesion and discouraged members and stakeholders who felt excluded from the decision-making process.
“We believe this pattern of exclusion left the party’s base disengaged and cost us the support of critical stakeholders and communities across the state, contributing directly to our defeat on August 15,” the group stated.
The stakeholders therefore called on President Tinubu to order an independent review of the leadership structure and candidate-selection process of the Osun APC ahead of subsequent elections.
They also urged the President to facilitate a reconciliation meeting involving Oyetola, party elders and aggrieved stakeholders, under the supervision of the APC National Working Committee (NWC).
The group further demanded a review of the distribution of federal appointments from Osun, insisting that such appointments should reflect the wider membership and interests of the party rather than being concentrated within a single political camp.
It also called for the establishment of a fact-finding committee to examine the conduct of the party’s primaries and the concerns raised by party elders before the next election cycle.
As part of its proposed roadmap for rebuilding the party, the forum advocated the immediate convening of an Osun APC state congress to produce a more representative executive.
It equally proposed a stakeholders’ reconciliation summit involving the various factions, elders and interest groups within the state chapter.
The group said future candidate selection should be based on a transparent and inclusive process that gives room for wider consultation rather than the preference of any individual leader.
It expressed optimism that President Tinubu’s intervention could help heal the divisions within the Osun APC, restore confidence among members and reposition the party for future electoral contests in the state
