Seven Osun APC aspirants withdraw after a meeting with President Tinubu and back Bola Oyebamiji as consensus candidate

Seven Osun APC aspirants have withdrawn from the forthcoming All Progressives Congress governorship primary after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Wednesday, clearing the path for Bola Oyebamiji to emerge as the party’s consensus candidate.

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The agreement followed a closed-door meeting called by President Tinubu as part of efforts to prevent internal division ahead of the Osun primary.

The session was notably boycotted by former APC National Secretary Iyiola Omisore, who had earlier dismissed his disqualification from the race as a joke.

The aspirants who stepped down are former Deputy Governor Benedict Olugboyega Alabi, Dotun Babayemi, Akin Ogunbiyi, Senator Babajide Omoworare, Kunle Adegoke, Babatunde Haketer Oralusi, and Mulikat Abiola Jimoh All seven pledged to work together to strengthen party unity and support Oyebamiji’s bid.

The development marks a significant shift in pre-primary dynamics and appears aimed at consolidating support within the ruling party.

Party insiders say the consensus arrangement is expected to reduce tensions and avoid a potentially fractious contest.

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The APC primary is scheduled to hold soon, with the party leadership insisting that the process will be peaceful, transparent and aligned with broader efforts to maintain stability within the Osun chapter.