President Bola Tinubu’s ally and elder statesman, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, has raised concerns over what he described as a coordinated political move in Southern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 presidential election, aimed at weakening the President’s electoral strength.
Osoba, a veteran journalist and former Governor of Ogun State, made the remarks at the Presidential Lodge in Abeokuta during the announcement of results from the APC presidential primaries.
He alleged that the strategy involves encouraging multiple presidential candidates from the southern region in order to split votes and reduce Tinubu’s overall margin at the polls.
The APC presidential primary results in Ogun State showed Tinubu winning decisively with 322,485 votes across the state’s 20 local government areas, while his challenger, Stanley Osifo, recorded zero votes.
The result was announced by Governor Dapo Abiodun, who also served as the state coordinator and collation officer, in the presence of several party leaders including Deputy Governor Noimot Salako Oyedele, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Dr Iziak Salako, APC governorship candidate Senator Solomon Adeola, Senator Shuaib Afolabi Salisu, and State APC Chairman Yemi Sanusi, among others.
Before the official declaration, Osoba urged party members to prepare for what he described as the real contest ahead of the next general election, cautioning against complacency within the ruling party.
He dismissed suggestions that Tinubu faces no opposition, insisting that such assumptions are misleading.
“The enemies are many,” Osoba said, warning APC stakeholders not to underestimate the political landscape.
He further alleged that several southern political figures are positioning themselves to influence the outcome of the 2027 election through divided candidacies.
“The enemies are many,” Osoba said. “As we approach the next election, there is a strong gang-up against us. They are plotting to field several candidates from our region in the South. Obi has emerged, Jonathan is quietly waiting in the background, and Makinde has been grandstanding. All these appear to be attempts to divide votes from the South.
“So, I want to passionately appeal to everyone to be prepared to vote massively. Do you agree with me? Please, I am sincerely pleading with you.
“Under our governor, President Tinubu has been good to us in Ogun State through a series of developmental projects. I hope you will all repay the President’s gesture with your support. Will you do that or not?”
