Osun APC Campaign Council Launched Ahead of 2027 Elections

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress announced on Monday the formation of a 168‑member osun apc campaign council, a body that will steer the re‑election effort for President Bola Tinubu and support APC candidates in the upcoming 2027 general elections. The statement, signed by state APC chairman Tajudeen Lawal and obtained in Osogbo, says the council will strengthen the party’s chances at the polls. It lists senior figures from the state, including the gubernatorial candidate Bola Oyebamiji, as key officials.

Bola Oyebamiji will serve as director‑general of the council, while Lawal will act as deputy director‑general. Oyebamiji’s running mate, Benjamin Adereti, and Kehinde Olamolu were named assistant director‑generals 1 and 2 respectively. The three APC senatorial hopefuls and the nine House of Representatives candidates from Osun also feature among the council’s members, underscoring the breadth of the party’s coordination effort.

Among the notable names on the roster are former House Speaker Foluke Etteh, four former deputy governors, Adeleke Adewoyin, Iyiola Omisore, Titi Laoye‑Ponnle and Adegboyega Alabi, along with retired General Alani Akinrinade. Former ambassador to South Africa Femi Fani‑Kayode and party spokesperson Kola Olabisi also joined the list, reflecting a blend of political veterans and current office‑holders aimed at delivering a unified campaign strategy.

The council’s creation follows the national inauguration of the APC Presidential Campaign Council by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on 14 October 2026 in Abuja, and the subsequent state‑level inauguration by Governor Ademola Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke on 22 October 2026. Lawal’s statement emphasized that the Osun council was “carefully selected” to realise a collective desire for an “all‑round victory” for the president and for National and State Assembly candidates.

Governor Adeleke’s earlier inauguration of the state campaign council sparked controversy within the party, as several key APC figures, including former governor and Marine Minister Adegboyega Oyetola, were absent from the ceremony. Oyetola, along with the party’s gubernatorial candidate Bola Oyebamiji and other senior members, later complained that the state leadership had not been consulted on the council’s composition. In response, Adeleke reiterated his commitment to work solely for President Tinubu’s re‑election, ruling out any arrangement to support other APC legislative candidates.

Despite the internal friction, the APC’s campaign machinery in Osun appears to be from here. Oyetola, speaking at a separate gathering, called for unity among political interests and expressed confidence that Tinubu could secure about 1.5 million votes in the state. He urged APC members to intensify grassroots mobilisation and to rally maximum support for all party candidates as the 2027 elections approach.

Political analysts note that the inclusion of former governors and senior legislators signals the party’s intent to leverage established networks across the state. By bringing together seasoned politicians and emerging candidates, the Osun APC campaign council aims to coordinate outreach, resource allocation and voter mobilisation in a state that has become increasingly competitive in recent election cycles.

Osun, a southwestern state with a population that swings between the two major parties, has seen tight races in both presidential and legislative contests over the past decade. The APC, which secured the governorship in 2022, now seeks to cement its foothold by aligning the presidential campaign with local contests. The council’s structure mirrors the national APC strategy, where a centralised presidential campaign council works in tandem with state‑level bodies to ensure message discipline and efficient use of campaign funds.

The council’s next steps involve rolling out coordinated rallies, door‑to‑door canvassing and media engagements designed to bolster Tinubu’s re‑election bid and to secure legislative seats for the APC. Lawal indicated that the party will continue to work “in unison with every member of the state presidential campaign council” to meet its mandate. He also highlighted plans to deploy seasoned campaign operatives to rural wards, where voter turnout historically determines the final tally.

In practice, the council will likely organise a series of town‑hall meetings where the director‑general, Bola Oyebamiji, will outline the party’s agenda for the upcoming term. Assistant director‑generals Adereti and Olamolu are expected to oversee logistics for these events, ensuring that transportation, security and publicity are synchronised. The presence of former figures such as Foluke Etteh and General Alani Akinrinade is intended to lend credibility and attract older voters who recall their past service.

The broader APC framework also includes a media wing tasked with crafting narratives that tie Tinubu’s achievements to local development projects in Osun. This approach seeks to counter opposition claims and to present a unified front across the presidential and legislative tickets. Observers expect the council to monitor polling data closely, adjusting tactics where needed to maximise vote conversion.

As the election calendar advances, the council’s activities will likely shape the political landscape in Osun ahead of the key August 2027 polls. The party’s ability to reconcile internal disputes, mobilise its extensive network, and present a coherent message will be tested in the coming months. The next major public event is slated for early June, when the council plans to launch a statewide “Vote for Progress” roadshow, signaling the final phase of its mobilisation drive.