Leaked video meant to divide APC, says Osun aspirant Ogunbiyi

In Osogbo, the political landscape is abuzz with allegations of sabotage and manipulation, as a prominent figure within the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State, Akin Ogunbiyi, finds himself at the center of a controversy involving a leaked video.

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I understand the concern of some of the genuine members and supporters of our dear party who initially felt aggrieved with the portion of the event but outrightly shifted their position after they had listened to the full recorded video of the event.

Ogunbiyi, an aspirant for the Osun West Senatorial District ticket in the upcoming 2027 general elections, has publicly denounced the video, which circulated widely on social media, as a deliberate attempt by his political adversaries to sow discord between him and the party's leadership, including President Bola Tinubu and former governor Adegboyega Oyetola.

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Further investigation revealed that the sponsors of the campaign of the calumny against my person took to their mischievous route in order to create a wedge between me and one of the most hardworking Presidents in the world, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; the immediate-past governor of our state, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola now Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and the governor-in-waiting, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.

The video purportedly captured Ogunbiyi making statements perceived as critical of the APC and its leaders. However, Ogunbiyi, who also chairs Mutual Benefits Assurance, has vehemently denied any disloyalty, asserting that the speech was taken out of context and maliciously edited. He emphasized his strong and cordial relationships with President Tinubu, Minister Oyetola, and the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.

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The demonic act of my political foes against my person which has fallen flat as it lacks substance would not prevent me from investing my best in all known constitutional ramifications to the re-election bid of President Tinubu and the forthcoming governorship election of my dear brother, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.

This incident highlights the intense political maneuvering and internal rivalries that often characterize Nigerian politics. The swift defense of Ogunbiyi by the Osun APC, which publicly dismissed the video as the work of the Accord Party and "failed political entities," underscores the party's efforts to maintain unity and control the narrative. From our perspective at The Punch, such episodes, while unfortunate, are a stark reminder of the lengths to which political opponents will go to undermine rivals, especially in the lead-up to crucial elections.

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The said video was being circulated by members of the Accord Party, describing those sharing the video as ‘failed political entities.’