Growing ties between President Bola Tinubu and the governors of Osun and Anambra states—Ademola Adeleke and Chukwuma Soludo—have sparked unease within the All Progressives Congress (APC), particularly among party stakeholders in both states ahead of the 2025 and 2026 governorship elections.
Investigations by News Bulletin reveal that several APC leaders are increasingly uncomfortable with the President’s perceived closeness to the two opposition governors. They fear that Tinubu’s rapport with Adeleke and Soludo could jeopardize the party’s chances in the upcoming polls.
In Osun State, the anxiety intensified following Adeleke’s recent visit to President Tinubu at his Lagos residence on June 3. He was accompanied by his brother, billionaire businessman Deji Adeleke, and his nephew, music star David Adeleke (Davido). The visit came shortly after the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, also visited Adeleke at the Osun State Government House on May 20.
The interactions fuelled speculation about Adeleke’s alleged plans to defect to the APC, especially in light of recent defections of other PDP governors. The visit ignited a firestorm on social media, with supporters and critics debating the possibility of Adeleke crossing party lines.
Some members of the Osun APC—particularly allies of Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Gboyega Oyetola—were vocal in their opposition to Adeleke’s overtures. In a press conference led by former House of Assembly Speaker Timothy Owoeye, APC leaders declared Adeleke unwelcome in the party and rejected any notion of him securing the party’s 2026 governorship ticket.
“Adeleke’s desperation is driven by fear of defeat,” Owoeye alleged. “If not for their uncertainty about 2026, the Adeleke family wouldn’t be making moves toward our party.”
Osun APC spokesperson Kola Olabisi added that Adeleke’s meeting with Tinubu was a ploy to weaken the APC ahead of the next poll.
“Why is someone who publicly distanced himself from the APC suddenly engaging with its national leader?” Olabisi asked. “He met with Chief Bisi Akande recently, too. There’s more going on than meets the eye.”
Olabisi insisted the governor was seeking “a backdoor entry” into the APC due to dwindling confidence in his chances on the PDP platform.
However, the PDP dismissed the APC’s concerns as political paranoia. Osun PDP spokesperson Oladele Bamiji described the APC’s reaction as “immature and arrogant,” arguing that Tinubu and Adeleke, as key political figures, had every right to meet.
“The President and the governor have a duty to work together for the people, regardless of party affiliation,” Bamiji said. “Only a lazy and fearful party will interpret that as betrayal.”
A senior APC chieftain, speaking anonymously, warned that Tinubu’s openness to Adeleke could alienate loyal APC members.
“We don’t want a repeat of Oyo State, where the President reportedly backed an opposition governor,” the source said. “Adeleke is trying to benefit from the structure we built. We don’t need him.”
The Osun governorship election is scheduled for August 6, 2026, according to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Behind Adeleke’s Visit
A senior aide to Governor Adeleke told Sunday Bulletin that the visit to Tinubu was meant to address the escalating local government crisis in the state.
Tensions have flared over control of the 31 local government councils following conflicting claims from the PDP and APC regarding an appellate court ruling. The Federal Government also withheld allocations for three consecutive months—February to April—due to the dispute.
The aide said Adeleke sought Tinubu’s intervention in resolving the crisis and securing a “soft landing” in next year’s local government elections.
Another senior special assistant, who also requested anonymity, added, “The governor wants a fair and peaceful electoral process, not preferential treatment. He is not defecting to the APC.”
Soludo-Tinubu Ties Raise Eyebrows in Anambra
Similar concerns are brewing in Anambra State following President Tinubu’s May 8 visit to the state to inaugurate projects executed by Governor Chukwuma Soludo of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).
Some APC members interpreted the visit as a tacit endorsement of Soludo’s anticipated re-election bid in 2025.
But APC leaders have moved swiftly to dispel the speculation.
State party chairman Basil Ejidike said the APC’s governorship candidate, Nicholas Ukachukwu, had met with Tinubu in Abuja to clarify the President’s position.
“Our candidate met the President and cleared the air. There is no alliance between the APC and APGA,” Ejidike stated.
Echoing this, the party’s deputy publicity secretary, Osita Ibeh, warned APGA supporters against misrepresenting Tinubu’s visit.
“President Tinubu has not endorsed Soludo,” Ibeh said. “The APC is on a mission to take over Anambra, and the President has given us that mandate.”
The Anambra governorship election is slated for November 8, 2025, according to INEC.
