President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has summoned no fewer than 76 leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, amid growing concerns over internal discontent ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Sunday PUNCH gathered that the late-night meeting followed an intelligence report submitted by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, which allegedly warned that several influential party leaders in Osun felt sidelined in the party’s affairs and the ongoing campaign.

Multiple sources who attended the meeting disclosed that Tinubu urged the aggrieved leaders to close ranks and work towards the victory of the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

A former local government chairman present at the meeting said Ribadu’s report drew the President’s attention to the level of dissatisfaction within the Osun APC.

“The meeting was at the instance of an intelligence report from the NSA,” the source said.

“I am aware that he informed Tinubu that many APC leaders in Osun were unhappy and felt excluded from the party’s affairs, including the ongoing campaign.”

According to the source, the report warned that the situation could negatively impact the party’s chances if left unresolved.

Tinubu was said to have contacted the APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, directing him to coordinate the affected leaders for the meeting.

Some of the party chieftains reportedly travelled on chartered flights from Ibadan, while others departed from Lagos.

Those said to have attended include former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Olubunmi Ete; former Speakers of the Osun State House of Assembly, Mojeed Alabi, Adejare Bello and Wale Afolabi; as well as Shuaib Oyedokun, Poju Odusola, and Bode Olanipekun.

One of the former lawmakers described the meeting as a frank and open session where party leaders presented their grievances directly to the President.

“We were about 76 in attendance. It provided an opportunity for the President to understand the true situation in Osun State,” the source said.

He further alleged that several federal appointments allocated to Osun had been largely dominated by allies of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former Osun State governor, Adegboyega Oyetola.

“We told the President the truth, that many of us, as APC leaders, are not aware of how the party is being managed,” he added.

Another participant revealed that Tinubu advised the aggrieved members not to allow internal disagreements jeopardise the APC’s chances in the governorship election.

The President reportedly reminded them that any electoral defeat would affect the entire party rather than any particular faction.

He was also said to have expressed disappointment over the APC’s losses in Osun during the 2022 governorship and 2023 general elections.

Quoting Tinubu, a source said the President urged the leaders to set aside their grievances and “work for the victory of the party.”

Another attendee noted that concerns were raised about whether an APC-led government in Osun would be inclusive if Oyebamiji emerges victorious.

Tinubu reportedly assured the leaders that opportunities exist at both the state and federal levels, urging them to unite behind the party’s candidate.

Efforts to obtain a response from Basiru were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to him were not returned.

However, the Osun APC Director of Media and Publicity, Kola Olabisi, confirmed that the meeting took place.

“Yes, I am aware. That is all I can say,” he stated.

Other party sources also confirmed that Basiru played a key role in coordinating the meeting as part of efforts to resolve internal grievances ahead of the election.