Some members of the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) have challenged the composition of the state’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), calling for an immediate review of the recently released list.
The aggrieved party officials argued that the composition of the council had raised questions about compliance with established party procedures, consultation with key stakeholders and respect for the APC’s leadership structure.
One of their major concerns is the reported appointment of Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji, the party’s governorship candidate in the last Osun State election, as Director-General of the council.
According to the officials, the arrangement appears to conflict with an earlier presidential directive reportedly identifying Governor Ademola Adeleke as Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council in the state.
They also questioned why several members of the State Working Committee (SWC), whom they said should be included in the council under the applicable party guidelines, were allegedly left out of the published list.
The position of the concerned officials was contained in a statement jointly signed by the APC State Publicity Secretary, Wole Adunola; Welfare Officer, Adesola Ayangbile; Assistant Organising Secretary, Rasheed Adeniji; and Ex-Officio member, Abiola Ololade.
The signatories maintained that the list, in its present form, did not adequately reflect the principles of fairness, inclusiveness and due process expected in the formation of a campaign structure responsible for coordinating activities across the state.
They consequently announced their rejection of the list, insisting that the party’s recognised structures and officials must be appropriately represented in decisions affecting its electoral preparations.
Conflicting directives raise questions
The officials expressed particular concern over the emergence of a new campaign council structure without what they considered adequate clarification of its relationship with the arrangement reportedly established through the earlier presidential directive.
They noted that Governor Adeleke had, following the reported directive, inaugurated a broad-based campaign team to coordinate the presidential campaign across Osun State.
Against this background, they questioned the rationale behind the subsequent appearance of a different list, saying the development could create uncertainty over the leadership and responsibilities of the campaign organisation.
The concerned APC members also suggested that the controversy might be connected to a possible confusion between the Presidential Campaign Council and a Parliamentary Campaign Council.
They explained that if the newly circulated list was actually intended for a parliamentary campaign structure rather than the presidential campaign, its composition might be easier to understand.
However, they stressed that the distinction needed to be made clear by the appropriate party authorities to prevent overlapping responsibilities, conflicting directives and unnecessary disagreements among party members.
According to them, clearly defining the purpose and membership of the council would help establish an effective chain of command and improve coordination among those responsible for the party’s campaign activities.
State working committee members must be recognised, officials insist
The signatories further argued that the State Executive Committee remains a critical component of the APC’s organisational framework and should not be disregarded when a statewide campaign council is being constituted.
They maintained that the exclusion of recognised members of the State Working Committee raised concerns about the level of consultation undertaken before the list was released.
The officials said the party’s campaign structure should reflect its established hierarchy and provide room for the participation of legitimate stakeholders whose positions and responsibilities are recognised under its internal arrangements.
They warned that overlooking such officials could undermine confidence in the process and create avoidable divisions at a time when cooperation among party members is essential.
In their view, the success of the presidential campaign would depend not only on the personalities appointed to leadership positions but also on the extent to which the structure commands the confidence and support of the wider party organisation.
They therefore called for an approach that promotes mutual respect, transparency and collective responsibility rather than one that could leave sections of the party feeling marginalised.
APC leadership urged to intervene
The aggrieved officials called on the appropriate party authorities to review the disputed list without delay and consult relevant stakeholders before finalising the composition of the council.
They specifically identified the APC National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, and the State Director-General as among those who should be involved in resolving the disagreement.
According to the signatories, consultations with the relevant leaders would help clarify the circumstances surrounding the emergence of the list and ensure that the final arrangement conforms with the party’s organisational requirements.
They also urged the state and national leadership of the APC to take the concerns seriously and make any necessary adjustments to prevent the disagreement from affecting the party’s preparations.
The officials emphasised that their objection should not be interpreted as a withdrawal of support for the party or its presidential candidate.
Instead, they described their intervention as a call for corrective action to strengthen the party’s internal coordination and improve the prospects of a united campaign.
“Our commitment to the APC and the success of our presidential candidate remains unwavering. However, party loyalty should not prevent constructive engagement when decisions risk creating avoidable divisions and weakening our collective efforts,” the statement said.
The signatories added that the party needed a campaign council that recognised established leadership arrangements, accommodated important stakeholders and encouraged members to work towards a common objective.
Officials reaffirm support for Tinubu
Despite their objections to the composition of the council, the officials reaffirmed their commitment to the success of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the broader interests of the APC.
They maintained that internal disagreements should be resolved through dialogue, consultation and respect for established party procedures rather than being allowed to weaken cooperation among members.
They also stressed that no legitimate stakeholder should be excluded from a process designed to coordinate the party’s statewide campaign efforts.
The signatories said a successful campaign would require unity, discipline, strategic planning and the willingness of party leaders to recognise the contributions of different members and groups.
They urged the relevant authorities to address the controversy promptly, clarify the leadership arrangement and ensure that the final composition of the campaign council reflects the principles of inclusion and institutional respect.
The officials concluded that resolving the dispute would be important in preventing further confusion and building a coordinated campaign structure capable of mobilising APC members across Osun State.
They reiterated their support for Tinubu while insisting that the disputed list, as currently constituted, should be reviewed to promote unity and strengthen the party’s collective electoral efforts.
About The Author
