APC in Disarray Over Tinubu’s Growing Ties with Soludo and Adeleke
Tensions are rising within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Anambra and Osun States following recent interactions between President Bola Tinubu and the governors of those states, Chukwuma Soludo and Ademola Adeleke, respectively. Many APC stakeholders are reportedly uneasy, fearing that these relationships could undermine the party’s prospects in the upcoming governorship elections.
In Osun, concerns have intensified among loyalists of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, after Governor Adeleke paid a high-profile visit to President Tinubu in Lagos. The meeting, which included Adeleke’s influential brother, businessman Deji Adeleke, and popular musician Davido, has been interpreted by some APC insiders as a strategic political move that might suggest a defection or alliance.
This speculation gained momentum after Femi Gbajabiamila, the President’s Chief of Staff, visited Adeleke shortly after delivering a lecture at the Osun State University. Such engagements have fueled discussions online and offline about the potential for Adeleke to cross over to the APC — a notion strongly opposed by many within the party.
Some APC figures in Osun, particularly allies of Oyetola, have condemned the visit, comparing it to Tinubu’s controversial support for opposition Governor Seyi Makinde in Oyo State during the 2023 elections — a move they believe cost the APC its victory there.
During a recent press conference led by former Osun House of Assembly Speaker, Timothy Owoeye, party leaders warned against Adeleke’s rumoured intentions, saying the APC’s ticket is not up for grabs. They described Adeleke’s actions as a desperate attempt to avoid electoral defeat.
Osun APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi echoed these sentiments, stating that Adeleke was pursuing APC membership out of fear, knowing that the political dynamics that favoured him in the last election are no longer in place. Olabisi insisted that the governor’s recent engagements with APC leadership betray a hidden agenda.
“Adeleke has publicly distanced himself from the APC, yet he keeps meeting with top figures in the party. It’s clear there’s more going on behind the scenes than he admits,” Olabisi remarked.
Meanwhile, the Osun PDP has dismissed the uproar as political insecurity within the APC. State PDP spokesperson Oladele Bamiji criticized the APC for assuming exclusive ownership of the President, stressing that it’s natural for governors and the President to interact, regardless of party affiliations.
Bamiji argued that the opposition’s anxiety stems from fear of electoral failure rather than genuine concern over any realignment. “Some in the APC clearly hoped Adeleke would never meet with the President. Now that he has, they’re panicking,” he said.
Behind Adeleke’s meeting with Tinubu, according to a senior aide to the governor, is an attempt to resolve the prolonged local government crisis in Osun. The dispute stems from conflicting interpretations of a court ruling over the legitimacy of local officials elected in October 2022, which the APC claims favored its candidates. However, the PDP insists a subsequent election held in early 2025 rendered the earlier result irrelevant.
Anambra APC Reacts to Tinubu’s Visit to Soludo
Similar discontent is brewing in Anambra State following Tinubu’s visit on May 8, where he commissioned several infrastructure projects initiated by Governor Soludo. The visit has triggered speculation about the President’s possible support for Soludo’s re-election bid.
Some APC members expressed concerns that the visit could be interpreted as a tacit endorsement of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) governor. In response, the state APC leadership moved quickly to clarify the situation.
Anambra APC Chairman Basil Ejidike said that their governorship candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, had met Tinubu to address the concerns and dispel rumours of an alliance with Soludo.
“Our candidate met with the President and that put an end to the misinformation. There’s no alliance between President Tinubu and APGA,” Ejidike affirmed.
Chief Osita Ibeh, the state APC’s Deputy Publicity Secretary, also denied any partnership between Tinubu and Soludo. He emphasized that the President remains firmly rooted in the APC and that any claims of cooperation with APGA are misleading.
“There is no formal or informal agreement between APC and Governor Soludo. The President’s visit should not be mistaken for political alignment,” Ibeh stressed.
With the Anambra governorship election approaching, the APC appears keen to distance itself from any perceived alliances that could confuse voters or weaken party unity.
Looking Ahead
The next governorship election in Osun is set for August 6, 2026. As the date draws closer, the internal wrangling within the APC suggests that party unity and candidate selection will be critical factors.
Both in Anambra and Osun, President Tinubu’s nonpartisan gestures are stirring debates within the APC. While some see these actions as statesmanlike, others fear they could jeopardize the party’s chances in future elections if not carefully managed.
