Osun

Tinubu Has A Long History Of Imposing Candidates – Oyetola’s Camp

BySodiq Yusuf

PublishedJuly 11, 2025

President Bola Tinubu has a long history of imposing candidates on members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), loyalists of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola have alleged.

This is coming amidst rife rumours that Governor Ademola Adeleke has concluded plans to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

In a shocking Facebook comment that has now gone viral, Tunmise Reformer, a known loyalist of former Governor Oyetola, accused President Tinubu of a long-standing pattern of political imposition.

He claimed that the President “imposed” Rauf Aregbesola as Osun’s governorship candidate in 2007 a move that allegedly sidelined party loyalists and fueled long-standing rifts.

“The same way Rauf Aregbesola was imposed on us in 2007 by the same Asiwaju,” Tunmise wrote, referencing Tinubu by his popular political alias.

The comment comes at a politically sensitive time, as talks of Governor Adeleke’s realignment with the APC continue to generate controversy and confusion across party lines.

If Adeleke a former PDP stalwart eventually joins the APC, the dynamics of Osun politics would face yet another dramatic shift, further blurring the lines between long-time adversaries and allies.

Responding swiftly to the allegation, Akinyemi Oluwaseye, a political commentator, challenged the claim and demanded clarification:

“For the sake of historical accuracy… could you kindly provide more details or credible evidence regarding the claim that Rauf Aregbesola was ‘imposed’ in 2007 by Asiwaju?”

In a follow-up, Oluwaseye pressed further:

“Are you suggesting that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has a pattern of imposing candidates on the people against their wishes?”

The statement has sparked fierce debate, with many questioning whether Oyetola’s camp is now indirectly attacking the very political structure that brought them to power perhaps in response to fears of being sidelined by the rumored APC-Adeleke alliance.

Political analysts say this allegation could be a veiled protest against internal party realignments that may see Oyetola’s influence diminish if Adeleke seen as a former rival is welcomed into the APC fold by Tinubu.

As the APC prepares for another phase of political recalibration ahead of 2027, these developments raise new questions about internal democracy, loyalty, and the long shadows cast by political godfathers.

Neither President Tinubu’s camp nor the Adeleke administration has responded officially to the allegation or the decamping rumors.

Sodiq Yusuf

Sodiq Yusuf is a trained media practitioner and journalist with considerable years of experience in print, broadcast, and digital journalism. His interests cover a wide range of causes in politics, governance, sports, community development, and good governance.