President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has met with leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and governorship aspirants from Osun State, pressing for cohesion, discipline and consensus-building as the party prepares for its primary election scheduled for December 13.

The meeting, held Monday night at the State House, Abuja, was disclosed on Wednesday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

It comes as the APC intensifies efforts to avoid a repeat of the internal divisions that cost the party the 2022 governorship election to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Those in attendance included former Deputy Governor Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, Dotun Babayemi, Akin Ogunbiyi, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Kunle Adegoke (SAN), Babatunde Hareter Oralusi, Mulikat Abiola Jimoh and Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.

Also at the meeting were APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma; and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.

In his remarks, President Tinubu commended the aspirants for their longstanding contributions to the growth of the APC in Osun but urged them to set aside personal ambitions in favour of party stability and electoral victory.
He warned against factional rivalry and prolonged litigation that weakened the party’s base in the last election cycle.

“You all have a duty and obligation to the party by ensuring the APC wins the next election in Osun State. You must strengthen the bonds of unity, uphold party supremacy and embrace collective responsibility. I have absolute confidence in your ability to deliver victory. You have my support and that of the national leadership,” the President said.

Tinubu called on the aspirants to support the party’s decision on adopting a consensus candidate, stressing that only a united front can guarantee victory at the polls.

At the end of the meeting, the aspirants and party leaders issued a joint declaration committing to abide by the party’s consensus arrangement and to support whoever emerges as the APC flagbearer.

In the five-point statement, the aspirants affirmed the supremacy of the party in determining the nomination process, agreed to accept the consensus candidate in good faith, pledged total support for the eventual nominee, committed to peaceful conduct and vowed to work collectively towards securing victory for the APC and advancing good governance in Osun State.

The statement noted that the declaration was made “voluntarily, in absolute loyalty” to the APC, and in recognition of the guidance provided by President Tinubu and the National Chairman “in the overriding interest of the progress and stability of Osun State.”