A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has appealed to political and traditional leaders across Southern Nigeria to unite in defending President Bola Tinubu from what he described as a coordinated attempt by a “tiny clique” of northern political elites to derail his re-election bid in 2027.
Speaking at a press conference on Sunday in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, Oyintiloye expressed concern over what he termed a “familiar political script” in Nigeria’s history — where a small but influential group from the North allegedly mobilises to frustrate Southern presidents seeking a second term in office.
“This has been recurring, and the nation’s political history won’t forget the kind of intimidation Southern presidents often suffered in the hands of very few men from the North,” Oyintiloye said.
“These individuals always mount serious opposition to the re-election bid of such a president, using every available tool — from political blackmail to deliberate misinformation — to weaken the presidency and create instability.”
According to the former state lawmaker, President Tinubu does not deserve such treatment, given his longstanding alliance with the North and his role in supporting its political causes in the past.
“In the case of President Bola Tinubu, he has done enough to get the support of the major power bloc in the North,” Oyintiloye argued.
“The time has come for the region to further put the tiny few behind the mischief where they really belong.
“These individuals are self-appointed leaders of the North, and the recognised political leaders and royal fathers in that region cannot continue to watch this trend and allow blackmail against Tinubu to gain traction.”
Oyintiloye warned that without a united Southern front, the same “negative political trajectory” that has hindered past Southern presidents could repeat itself in 2027.
“This is the more reason the Southern leaders must rise and rally support for the president,” he said.
“This support is necessary to put an end to the consistent pattern where a Southerner’s second-term bid is met with sustained hostility from a small group of northern politicians.
“They should shield the president against unwarranted attacks from just a handful of individuals.”
He specifically urged the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi — who chairs the Council of Southern Traditional Rulers — along with co-chairmen Obi of Obinugwu, Cletus Illomuanya; King Jaja of Opobo, Dandeson Jaja; and the council’s secretary, the Dein of Agbor, Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi I, to take the lead in rallying grassroots and elite support for Tinubu’s administration in the South.
“These royal fathers have the respect, influence, and reach to mobilise our people and counter divisive narratives,” he said.
“They must also work closely with respected leaders from the North to foster a genuine spirit of cooperation and unity that will help the president complete his two terms.”
Oyintiloye also extended his call to elder statesmen and influential figures in the South, including former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, and former Senate President Ken Nnamani.
“I also want to advise these respected leaders to rise to the occasion and stop a repeat of negative history,” he said.
“They should defend Southern Nigeria from the few northern power mongers who believe that only the North can dictate the direction of the country’s leadership.”
The APC chieftain maintained that Tinubu’s re-election would not only consolidate democratic stability but also guarantee fair and equitable distribution of federal resources and development projects across all regions.
“In his second term, I am confident that the president will continue to ensure fairness in the federal government’s developmental drive for all regions in the country,” he concluded.
“This is about protecting our democracy, ensuring stability, and giving a leader who has proven his political commitment to Nigeria the chance to complete the work he has started.”
