Elder statesman and former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba, has alleged that there are moves by political actors in Southern Nigeria to weaken President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Osoba made the claim in Abeokuta during the announcement of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential primary results held at the Presidential Lodge.

According to the former governor, some politicians from the South are allegedly positioning themselves to contest the presidency in a bid to divide votes from the region and reduce Tinubu’s electoral strength.

In the primary election conducted across Ogun State’s 20 local government areas, Tinubu secured 322,485 votes to emerge victorious, while his challenger, Stanley Osifo, polled no votes.

Governor Dapo Abiodun, who coordinated the exercise in the state, announced the results in the presence of senior APC leaders, including Deputy Governor Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare Dr. Iziak Salako, Senator Solomon Adeola, Senator Shuaib Salisu and the Ogun APC Chairman, Yemi Sanusi.

Speaking before the declaration of the results, Osoba urged party members not to assume the next presidential election would be an easy contest for the APC.

He warned supporters against complacency, insisting that the ruling party still faced serious political opposition ahead of the general election scheduled for next year.

The APC chieftain specifically mentioned former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde and former President Goodluck Jonathan as political figures whose ambitions or possible involvement could contribute to splitting Southern votes.

Osoba appealed to APC supporters in Ogun State to mobilise massively for Tinubu in the coming election, citing what he described as the President’s developmental contributions to the state.

He also called on party stakeholders to remain united and fully prepared for what he termed the “real election” ahead.