Former Ogun State Governor and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Olusegun Osoba, has alleged that some prominent political figures in Southern Nigeria are aligning against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Osoba claimed that the strategy of the opposition is to present multiple presidential candidates from the South in order to fragment the region’s votes and weaken Tinubu’s chances of re-election.
The elder statesman spoke in Abeokuta during the announcement of the results of the APC presidential primary election conducted across Ogun State.
At the end of the exercise held in the 20 local government areas of the state, President Tinubu polled 322,485 votes to emerge victorious, while his challenger, Stanley Osifo, recorded no vote.
Governor Dapo Abiodun, who served as the state coordinator and collation officer for the primary, announced the results in the presence of party stakeholders, including Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Dr. Iziak Salako, Senator Solomon Adeola, Senator Shuaib Salisu and the Ogun APC Chairman, Yemi Sanusi.
Addressing party members before the declaration of results, Osoba cautioned APC supporters against underrating the opposition, warning that the 2027 election would be more competitive than many assume.
“The enemies are many,” he declared, urging party loyalists to remain vigilant and intensify mobilisation efforts for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
According to him, claims within the ruling party that President Tinubu lacks formidable challengers could breed complacency.
Osoba specifically mentioned former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and former President Goodluck Jonathan as politicians whose ambitions or political influence could affect Tinubu’s support in the South.
“As we approach the next election, there is a serious gang-up against us. They want to field several candidates from the South. Obi is already on the scene, Jonathan is waiting quietly in the background, while Makinde has been making moves. All these are calculated attempts to divide Southern votes,” Osoba said.
The former governor also appealed to APC members in Ogun State to support Tinubu in appreciation of what he described as the President’s commitment to the development of the state through various infrastructure projects.
He called on party faithful to work towards delivering overwhelming victory for the President in the next general election.
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