‘Shield Tinubu from northern political plot’ – Oyintiloye urges southern leaders

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Hon. Olatunbosun Oyintiloye, has urged political and traditional leaders in Southern Nigeria to protect President Bola Tinubu from a group of northern elites allegedly plotting to stop his 2027 re-election bid.

Speaking on Sunday in Osogbo, Oyintiloye said Tinubu had been a long-time ally of the North and deserved the region’s support for a second term. He expressed concern that, historically, a splinter group from the North often mounts strong opposition whenever a Southerner is President, using tactics including blackmail to undermine the government.

The former lawmaker, who served on the APC Presidential Campaign Council, said the nation’s political history records repeated intimidation of Southern Presidents seeking re-election by a small northern faction. “But in the case of President Bola Tinubu, he has done enough to get the support of the major power bloc in the North,” he stated.

Oyintiloye urged that such disruptive elements be politically isolated. “The time has come to put the tiny few behind the mischief where they truly belong,” he added.

He also called on Southern political leaders and traditional rulers not to align with rejected northern politicians allegedly plotting against Tinubu. According to him, this would help end the recurring trend of blocking Southerners’ second-term ambitions.

Specifically, he appealed to the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Obi of Obinugwu, Cletus Illomuanya; King Jaja of Opobo, Dandeson Jaja; and Dein of Agbor, Benjamin Ikenchuku Keagborekuzi I, to rally regional support for Tinubu and work with northern counterparts to ensure victory in 2027.

Oyintiloye further urged former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Goodluck Jonathan, Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, and former Senate President Ken Nnamani to counter attempts by certain northern power brokers to derail Tinubu’s second-term bid.

He maintained that safeguarding Tinubu’s re-election would strengthen national unity and consolidate democratic gains.