Former Ogun State Governor and APC stalwart, Olusegun Osoba, has alleged that there is a coordinated political move in the South aimed at weakening President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Osoba claimed that the strategy involves presenting multiple presidential candidates from the Southern region to divide votes that would ordinarily go to Tinubu.
The former governor spoke in Abeokuta during the announcement of the results of the APC presidential primaries conducted across Ogun State.
President Tinubu secured 322,485 votes in the exercise conducted in the 20 local government areas of the state to emerge victorious, while his opponent, Stanley Osifo, failed to secure any vote.
The results were announced by Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, who served as the state coordinator and collation officer for the primaries.
Other APC leaders present at the event included Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Dr. Iziak Salako, Senator Solomon Adeola, Senator Shuaib Salisu and the state APC Chairman, Yemi Sanusi.
Addressing party members before the official declaration of results, Osoba cautioned APC supporters against complacency, insisting that Tinubu still faces serious opposition ahead of the next general election.
He warned that members of the ruling party should prepare for what he described as the “real election” expected next January.
According to him, claims that Tinubu has no formidable challengers could weaken the party’s mobilisation efforts.
“The enemies are many,” Osoba stated.
He alleged that the political ambitions of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and former President Goodluck Jonathan were part of wider efforts to split Southern votes.
“There is a strong gang-up against us. They are planning to field several candidates from the South. Obi is already in the race, Jonathan is quietly waiting, and Makinde has also been making moves. All these are attempts to divide Southern votes,” he said.
Osoba appealed to APC members and residents of Ogun State to support Tinubu massively in appreciation of what he described as the President’s developmental interventions in the state.
He said the ruling party must remain united and vigilant to secure victory in the next presidential election.