AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT BOLA AHMED TINUBU GCFR
Your Excellency,
Warm greetings to you, Sir.
I write this letter with a sincere heart as a citizen of Osun State and a former staunch critic of your leadership—primarily due to my political party affiliation, PDP. However, recent realities, particularly the disposition and political ideology of certain northern elites towards Southern leadership, have forced me to reconsider my stance. If, indeed, Nigeria is a nation built on unity, equity, and fairness, then we must uphold the principle of national balance in leadership.
This is one of the fundamental reasons I have found common ground with those saying, after the 8years of a Northern president, it’s the turn of a southern president, the likes of His Excellency Nyesom Wike and other reasonable patriots who now see the importance of supporting your second-term ambition despite our party differences. As a loyal member of the PDP, I must state that unless my party presents a credible Southern presidential candidate in 2027, I may be left with no option but to support your re-election bid for the sake of national unity and stability.
However, my primary reason for writing you today is not merely political alignment but to address a very disturbing and disrespectful action that recently went viral. I refer to the shameful outburst by the former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye and some self-styled APC chieftains in Osun State, in reaction to the Sallah visit of the highly respected Adeleke family to your residence.
Sir, the Adelekes, led by the distinguished businessman Dr. Adedeji Adeleke, the Executive Governor of Osun State Senator Ademola Adeleke, and his globally renowned son David Adeleke (Davido) paid you a courtesy visit in the spirit of national unity and statesmanship. Instead of celebrating this show of goodwill, these individuals resorted to public insult—insinuating that you had ‘sold’ the APC gubernatorial ticket in Osun State to the Adelekes. I never knew these so-called leaders could be this myopic.
Your Excellency, as someone deeply knowledgeable in Nigerian politics and with an unbroken history of political sagacity, I trust you are aware of the actual political terrain in Osun. It was your decisive influence that gave the APC a win in 2018 in which i refer to as (Winning is Winning). Mr. Gboyega Oyetola had four full years to consolidate that so-called victory and prove himself, but the results in 2022 showed otherwise. Governor Ademola Adeleke came back with an overwhelming mandate that no form of electoral manipulation could undermine.
Beyond that, the governor delivered 3 out of the available senatorial seats for the PDP in the South-West, 9 House of Representatives seats, and initially all 26 seats in the Osun State House of Assembly—until one was dubiously reversed in Boripe/ Boluwaduro state constituency. These achievements speak volumes about his connection with the people at the grassroot.
In contrast, the so-called APC leaders in Osun today, especially those like Timothy Owoeye, have proven to be nothing more than noisemakers with no real value. Sir, I can boldly say—on behalf of many others—that we are already preparing to support your second-term bid. One of the PDP senators from the Southwest —who is known to be your ally way back in your youthful age —is already mobilizing support quietly. The numbers you anticipate from Osun in 2027 are already in motion.
Therefore, it is both disrespectful and counterproductive for someone like Timothy Owoeye to insult your person, your exalted office, and a respected family like the Adelekes. As a Yoruba man and a proud son of Modakeke, I, alongside many members of the civil society and reasonable Osun citizens, condemn his outbursts, and therefore, we respectfully call for appropriate sanctions against Hon. Owoeye. His refusal to apologize within 72 hours of our initial demand underscores his disregard for decorum and leadership ethics. His actions must not go without consequence—lest it emboldens others to undermine the dignity of the presidency.
In conclusion, Your Excellency, our commitment to your leadership is not for personal gain but for the greater good of Nigeria. Unity, mutual respect, and national cohesion must remain paramount. We can not declare our loyalty while people from within your own party insult you and undermine your efforts.
Thank you for your time and service to the nation. May God continue to grant you the wisdom to lead Nigeria towards lasting peace, prosperity, and justice.
Yours faithfully,
Apesin Abiodun Adegoke
Modakeke, Osun State
09/05/2025.
