The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has said the party is prepared to work with the Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, and other political forces to mobilise massive support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election.

Basiru stated this during a visit to Adeleke, congratulating him on his victory in the August 15 governorship election and urging greater collaboration ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The APC’s scribe, who was APC candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji’s campaign coordinator during the election, projected that the collaboration between the APC and the Accord could produce about 1.5 million votes for the president in Osun.

He said efforts were already underway to integrate the Accord structure into the campaign for Tinubu, adding that similar political collaborations were taking place in different parts of the country.

He cited examples of political actors and parties in states such as Anambra, Rivers and Ekiti who, according to him, were supporting or working towards the re-election of President Tinubu.

The National Secretary, however, thanked Adeleke for his reported endorsement of President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, expressing optimism that the governor would actively campaign for the president in Osun State.

The former Osun APC governorship campaign coordinator also called on residents to put the election behind them and concentrate on the development of the state.

“Election has come and gone. All of us belong to this place. We must work to ensure that we have meaningful infrastructure and a good living for the people of Osun,” he said.

Addressing APC members, Basiru urged party stakeholders to close ranks and work together towards securing victory for President Tinubu, saying internal unity remained crucial to achieving the objective.

He admitted that the defeat of the APC in the governorship election was painful to him, noting that he personally campaigned in at least 12 local government areas and deployed resources towards securing victory for Oyebamiji.

Basiru, however, said the outcome of the election should now be regarded as a thing of the past, noting that the focus should shift towards unity and the progress of Osun State.

He said, “One of the things that Mr President said when he visited was that when you are a democrat, you must also be able to celebrate victory and also endure when you have lost an election.”

Basiru maintained that political differences should not prevent leaders from working together for the overall interest of the state and its people.

While explaining why he visited the governor, he said his visit was informed by three major reasons, including re-election of President Ahmed Tinubu into office and appreciation for Adeleke’s support during the burial of his late mother.

Basiru said Adeleke had visited his family when he lost his mother and also attended the burial ceremony, describing the gesture as one that deserved to be reciprocated.

According to him, he could not return the visit immediately because the governorship election campaign was ongoing at the time, during which he worked vigorously for the victory of Oyebamiji and the APC. (Nigerian Tribune)