The Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) Stakeholders Forum has called for a comprehensive review of the remote and immediate causes of the party’s defeat in the August 15, 2026 governorship election, and has proposed a broad restructuring of the state chapter to restore unity and rebuild party members’ confidence.
In an open letter to President Bola Tinubu dated August 18, the group identified internal divisions, concerns over candidate selection, and the distribution of political appointments as factors that contributed to the party’s defeat.
The forum, coordinated by Professor Akin Adeyanju and Secretary Sola Ajayi, said that the concentration of political appointments and electoral decisions around the immediate past governor of the state and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, had raised concerns among certain sections of the party.
It said that the limited involvement of some party elders and stakeholders in key decisions affecting the state chapter had also weakened internal cohesion and may have contributed to the loss of support among critical stakeholders and communities across the three senatorial districts.
To address the situation, the stakeholders urged President Tinubu to facilitate an independent review of the Osun APC leadership structure and candidate-selection process, alongside measures to reconcile the various interests within the party.
As part of its proposed way forward, the group called for the APC National Working Committee (NWC) to convene a state congress to produce what it described as a genuinely representative state executive.
It also proposed a stakeholders’ reconciliation summit bringing together all factions, party elders and interest groups within the state chapter.
The forum urged the APC to establish a transparent and inclusive framework for future candidate selection, based on broader consultation rather than the preference of any individual leader.
It also called for a more equitable distribution of federal appointments and future electoral opportunities across the three senatorial districts and the party’s various interest groups.
The stakeholders said the proposed measures were necessary to reposition the APC and improve its prospects in Osun ahead of future elections.
They expressed confidence that timely intervention by President Tinubu would help reunite the party, restore members’ confidence and position the APC for stronger performance in subsequent elections.
The forum commended Tinubu for what it described as his leadership and commitment to the party before and after the August 15 election, while expressing regret over the APC’s defeat despite his support.