Elder statesman and former Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba has alleged that there is a coordinated effort against President Bola Tinubu in Southern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 presidential election. He claimed that this gang-up is designed to field multiple presidential candidates from the region, thereby splitting the votes and significantly reducing Tinubu's margin of victory.
Osoba made these remarks at the State House in Abuja on Sunday, May 25, where Tinubu was declared the winner of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primaries. Speaking shortly before the announcement, he urged APC members to prepare for what he called the “real election” scheduled for next January. He dismissed suggestions among APC members that Tinubu has no serious opponent as a misleading narrative.
Osoba identifies key figures in the alleged plot
The former governor specifically named former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and former President Goodluck Jonathan as part of the alleged plan. He described Jonathan as someone who has been waiting quietly in the background. According to Osoba, these ambitions are all part of attempts to divide Southern votes against Tinubu.
“I want to appeal to us all ahead of the coming election: let us not be caught off guard. Many people are saying we have no opponents, but that is a misleading narrative. The enemies are many. As we approach the next election, there is a strong gang-up against us. They are plotting to field several candidates from our region in the South. Obi has emerged, Jonathan is quietly waiting in the background, and Makinde has been grandstanding. All these appear to be attempts to divide votes from the South. So, I want to passionately appeal to everyone to be prepared to vote massively. Do you agree with me? Please, I am sincerely pleading with you,” Osoba said.
Call for vigilance and massive voter turnout
Osoba’s comments highlight growing concerns within the APC about potential vote fragmentation in the South. He emphasized the need for party members to remain vigilant and mobilize support to counter the alleged strategy. The elder statesman’s warning underscores the strategic importance of the Southern vote in the upcoming presidential election.
