The crisis within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has taken a new dimension, with party stakeholders blaming the concentration of political appointments and elective positions around the camp of former Governor Gboyega Oyetola for the party’s defeat in the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
The development came as some social media commentators separately raised allegations against Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, linking him to the APC’s election strategy in Osun and other political developments.
In an open letter addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Osun APC Stakeholders Forum accused Oyetola, who is currently the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, of allegedly operating an exclusionary political structure that sidelined 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 but expressed concern over the APC’s defeat in the state.
The stakeholders argued that the outcome could have been different if the party leadership had embraced broader consultations and accommodated diverse interests within the Osun APC.
According to the group, Oyetola allegedly influenced the appointment of several individuals from his political camp into federal positions while also playing a dominant role in the emergence of APC candidates for elective offices.
The forum specifically alleged that the former governor single-handedly influenced the selection of the party’s governorship and deputy governorship candidates, three senatorial candidates, nine House of Representatives candidates and 26 House of Assembly candidates.
It maintained that the alleged concentration of political opportunities within one camp weakened party cohesion and alienated members across the state.
“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 consequently called on President Tinubu to order an independent review of the leadership structure and candidate-selection process of the Osun APC ahead of future 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 forum further demanded a review of federal appointments from Osun State to ensure that political opportunities are distributed more broadly among party members and interests.
It called for the establishment of a fact-finding committee to examine the conduct of the party’s primaries and investigate concerns raised by stakeholders before the next election cycle.
The group also proposed the immediate convening of an Osun APC state congress to produce a more representative executive, as well as a stakeholders’ reconciliation summit involving factions, elders and interest groups within the state chapter.
It advocated a transparent and inclusive framework for future candidate selection, arguing that no single political leader should dominate the process.
Meanwhile, separate allegations circulating on social media have shifted attention to Hon. James Abiodun Faleke, with some commentators alleging that he had a significant role in the APC’s election strategy in Osun.
One social media post alleged that Faleke was also linked to political developments in Edo State, including the crisis that reportedly culminated in a change of Speaker, claiming that some of his activities were carried out without the full knowledge or consent of President Tinubu.
Another post accused Faleke of using the President’s name to influence federal contracts, including alleged contracts involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The posts further made claims concerning federal appointments, including an allegation that a relative of Faleke was serving in a senior position connected to the office of the INEC National Chairman.
Other social media comments alleged that Faleke was positioning himself for several political offices, including the House of Representatives, Chairmanship of the House Committee on Appropriations, Chief of Staff, the governorship of Kogi State and, eventually, the presidency.
However, the allegations circulating on social media were not independently substantiated in the material reviewed and should be treated as claims by their authors, rather than established facts.
The fresh allegations have added another layer to the debate over the factors responsible for the APC’s defeat in Osun and the growing calls for the party leadership to examine its internal structures, political strategy and stakeholder-management approach.
The Osun APC Stakeholders Forum expressed confidence that timely intervention by President Tinubu could help reconcile the various interests within the party, rebuild confidence among members and strengthen the APC ahead of future elections in the state.
