Get Guardian on Google…..Chieftains reject PCC list, fault exclusion of State Working Committee members
Fresh divisions have emerged within the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the composition of the state’s Presidential Campaign Council (PCC), following the emergence of a new campaign structure headed by the party’s governorship candidate in the last election, Bola Oyebamiji.
Some members of the Osun State Executive Committee have rejected the newly released PCC list, questioning Oyebamiji’s appointment as Director-General and that of the state APC chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, as Deputy Director-General.
The aggrieved party officials argued that the new arrangement appeared to create a parallel campaign structure, despite an earlier presidential directive reportedly naming Governor Ademola Adeleke as Director-General of the Presidential Campaign Council in Osun State.
According to them, Adeleke had subsequently inaugurated a broad-based campaign team to coordinate President Bola Tinubu’s re-election campaign across the state, making the emergence of another structure without adequate clarification a potential source of confusion and internal friction.
In an official rejoinder titled, Official Rejoinder and Rejection of the Osun State Presidential Campaign Council (PCC) List, the officials declared their rejection of the newly published list in its present form.
The statement was signed by the State Publicity Secretary, Wole Adunola; Welfare Officer, Deaconess Adesola Ayangbile; Assistant Organising Secretary, Rasheed Adeniji; and Ex-Officio member, Abiola Ololade.
They expressed dissatisfaction with what they described as the failure of the composition to reflect established party guidelines, due process and the principle of inclusiveness expected in constituting a statewide campaign structure.
Of particular concern to the officials was the alleged exclusion of several members of the State Working Committee, who, according to them, should be statutory members of the council under the applicable party guidelines.
They maintained that excluding recognised party officials raised serious questions about consultation, due process and respect for the established leadership structure of the APC in the state.
The signatories also questioned the rationale behind the emergence of the new arrangement without adequate clarification on its relationship with the campaign team earlier inaugurated by Adeleke.
They, however, suggested that the controversy might be resolved if the newly released list was intended to serve as a Parliamentary Campaign Council rather than the Presidential Campaign Council.
They insisted that the distinction must be clearly established to prevent confusion, duplication of responsibilities and unnecessary disagreements within the party’s campaign machinery.
“The State Executive Committee remains an integral part of the APC’s organisational framework and cannot be sidelined in the constitution of a statewide campaign council,” they said.
The officials called for an immediate review of the published list, with appropriate consultations involving relevant stakeholders, including the APC National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, and the State Director-General.
They argued that a successful presidential campaign required mutual respect, proper coordination and the active involvement of all legitimate party stakeholders.
The development comes amid preparations by political parties for the 2027 general elections, with the APC expected to mobilise its structures across Osun State to secure support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition.
The signatories, however, stressed that their rejection of the PCC list should not be interpreted as a withdrawal of support for the President or the APC.
“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,” they stated.
They urged the appropriate party leadership at both state and national levels to address the concerns without delay and ensure that necessary corrections were made.
Reaffirming their position, the officials said the party needed a campaign council that respected established structures, recognised legitimate leadership and accommodated critical stakeholders.
They added that unity, discipline, strategic coordination and collective responsibility would be essential to the party’s electoral success in 2027.
