President Bola Tinubu’s ally and elder statesman, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, has alleged a gang-up against the President in Southern Nigeria ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

The gang-up, he alleged, is aimed at fielding different presidential candidates from the region with a view to dividing votes and drastically reducing Tinubu’s margin.

Osoba, a veteran journalist and former Governor of Ogun State, spoke at the Presidential Lodge, Abeokuta, during the announcement of the result of the APC presidential primaries.

In the primaries held across the 20 local government areas of Ogun State, Tinubu polled 322,485 votes to emerge winner.

Governor Dapo Abiodun, who served as the state coordinator and collation officer, announced the result in the presence of Osoba; Deputy Governor Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Iziak Salako; the APC governorship candidate, Senator Solomon Adeola; Senator representing Ogun Central, Shuaib Afolabi Salisu; State APC Chairman, Yemi Sanusi; among other APC leaders.

Announcing the results, Abiodun said Tinubu polled 322,485 votes to defeat his rival, Stanley Osifo, who scored zero votes.

Speaking shortly before the announcement, Osoba asked APC members to prepare for the “real election” coming next January.

Osoba described insinuations among APC members that Tinubu has no opponent as a misleading narrative.

“The enemies are many,” Osoba said, warning APC stakeholders against complacency.

The APC leader particularly alleged that the ambitions of former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, and former President Goodluck Jonathan, whom he said has been waiting quietly in the background, are all part of attempts to divide Southern votes against Tinubu.

He said: “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.

“Under our governor, President Tinubu has been good to us in Ogun State through a series of developmental projects. I hope you will all repay the President’s gesture with your support. Will you do that or not?”