The recent report by Osun Defender newspaper, titled *“2027: Osun APC Splits Over Lawal’s Leadership”* has once again brought the leadership of the Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC), under the chairmanship of Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, into a public discussion.
There is nothing wrong with members expressing their opinions or questioning the leadership of their party. In fact, a healthy political party should have room for debate and constructive criticism. However, it is equally important that such leadership is assessed fairly and within the right political context.
Electoral results matter, but they are not the only measure of a party chairman's performance. Party unity, grassroots mobilisation, internal organisation, conflict management and the ability to keep the party structure alive during difficult periods also matter.
By that broader measure, Sooko Lawal deserves more credit for the work he has done since taking over the leadership of the Osun APC in 2022.
*The difficult responsibility he inherited*
Tajudeen Lawal did not take over the APC when everything was going well. He assumed responsibility at a very difficult time, following the party's defeat in the 2022 governorship election and the subsequent transition in leadership.
Lawal’s tenure in both acting and substantive capacities came after the 2022 and 2023 elections.
He first served as an acting Chairman from November 2022, following the 2022 Osun State gubernatorial election held on the 16th July, 2022. His appointment was later confirmed as the substantive chairman on 27th June, 2023, after the 2023 general elections held on the 25th February, 2023.
The question, therefore, is: where does Tajudeen Lawal personally bear responsibility for the APC’s losses in the 2022 Osun State gubernatorial election and the 2023 general elections, considering the fact that he assumed the position of an Acting Chairman only in November 2022, months after the governorship election, and became substantive chairman in June 2023, after the general elections?
It is important to distinguish between the circumstances surrounding the party’s electoral performance before his leadership and the period in which he actually held the responsibility of the chairman.
At that time, the APC was dealing with the consequences of losing the governorship, internal disagreements, disappointed political interests, defections and declining confidence among some members.
The challenge before Lawal was therefore much bigger than occupying the chairman's office. He had to help keep the party together and prevent the structure from falling apart. That is where his leadership deserves proper attention.
*He inherited a party that needed rebuilding*
It is easy to look at election figures today and conclude that the chairman should carry the entire responsibility for every defeat. But politics does not work that way.
The APC is a collective organisation. Candidates, campaign councils, political leaders, local government structures, ward executives, grassroots leaders, media teams, financial supporters and ordinary members, all play important roles in determining electoral outcomes.
Victory is collective, and defeat must also be viewed as a collective responsibility.
Lawal did not contest the presidential election. He did not contest the senatorial or House of Representative's elections. He did not contest the 2026 governorship election either.
His responsibility was to lead the party, coordinate its structure, manage internal issues, mobilise members and create the conditions for candidates and campaign teams to operate effectively. That distinction should not be ignored.
*Lawal has taken the bullets for the party*
One of the things often overlooked in discussions about Lawal is the political burden he has carried as the face of the APC during some of its most difficult periods.
A state chairman is usually among the first people blamed when things go wrong and among the last people remembered when things go right. Lawal has experienced that reality.
He has faced criticism, dealt with pressure from different interests within the party and continued to defend the APC while the remaining in the position of responsibility.
Leadership is not only about receiving praises when things go well. It is also about standing in front when the party is under pressure. In that regard, Lawal has shown resilience. The achievement of keeping the structure alive
*One important question should be asked ahead of 2027:*
What could have happened to the Osun APC if its structure had completely collapsed after the 2022 defeat? That question deserves serious thought.
Rather than abandoning the party, Lawal and his team worked to keep the APC structure functioning across the wards and local governments.
A political party is not only about elections. It must remain alive between elections. It must have functioning structures, communicate with its members, resolve disagreements, mobilise supporters and continue to give members a reason to remain committed.
The fact that the Osun APC has remained active and organised after the 2022 defeat is significant. That continuity should count for something.
*Stability before another internal battle*
Those calling for a change of leadership have a right to their opinion. Their concerns should not be silenced. However, the timing of such a demand also deserves consideration.
With 2027 approaching, another major leadership change could trigger fresh struggles over party positions, ward structures, local government leadership, delegates and other political interests.
Instead of preparing for the election, the party could find itself fighting another internal battle. Osun APC does not need that now.
It needs reconciliation. It needs stronger grassroots mobilisation. It needs better communication. It needs discipline and, above all, unity.
If there are weaknesses in the present structure, they should be addressed. If members are aggrieved, they should be heard. If there are areas where the chairman needs to improve, he should be encouraged to do so. But correcting weaknesses is not the same thing as destroying the structure.
*Unity must not be sacrificed because of frustration*
There is genuine frustration among some APC members who want to see the party return to power. That frustration is understandable.
The party must learn from the 2023 elections and the 2026 governorship election. It must honestly examine what went wrong and improve its campaign strategy, grassroots mobilisation and internal coordination.
But learning from defeat should not mean destroying the structure that is expected to deliver the next victory.
The answer to electoral disappointment should be stronger organisation, better strategy and greater unity.
*Not instability*
A chairman cannot win an election alone. The argument that a chairman should be judged only by electoral outcomes also deserves a second look.
If the chairman must take sole responsibility for defeat, then everyone who participated in the electoral process must also accept responsibility for the outcome.
*The candidate has a role*
Campaign leadership has a role. Political leaders have a role. Local government and ward structures have roles. Media and mobilisation teams have roles. The ordinary party member also has a role.
Therefore, the losses of the APC should become lessons for everyone, rather than an excuse to place the entire burden on one individual.
Lawal should not be above criticism, but he should also not become the sole scapegoat for collective political outcomes.
*His biggest test could become his biggest opportunity*
The current debate may actually give Lawal an opportunity to demonstrate one of the most important qualities of leadership: the ability to bring people together even when they disagree.
If he can continue to reconcile different interests, strengthen the party structure and bring both his supporters and critics together ahead of 2027, his leadership will have achieved something bigger than simply managing a party. It will have helped rebuild the institution.
That should be the goal. Not personal victory. Not factional victory. APC victory.
*2027 should be about the future, not 2022*
Osun APC cannot continue to fight yesterday's battles. The 2022 defeat should provide lessons. The 2023 elections should provide experience. The 2026 governorship election should provide even deeper lessons. But 2027 must be a new opportunity.
The question should therefore not only be, “Should Lawal remain chairman?”
The bigger question should be: “What will give Osun APC the best chance of rebuilding its unity, strengthening its grassroots structure and winning in 2027?”
If stability, reconciliation and stronger organisation are part of that answer, then Lawal deserves the opportunity to continue the work he started.
Where improvements are needed, they should be made. Where members are unhappy, they should be reconciled. Where structures are weak, they should be strengthened.
*The interest of the APC must come first*
Lawal's record deserves a fair assessment. Nobody should claim that Lawal is perfect. No political chairman is. But fairness requires that his record be judged in full.
He inherited a party dealing with the aftermath of defeat. He assumed leadership when confidence had been shaken.
He has managed competing interests and worked to keep the party structure intact.
He has continued to engage stakeholders and members despite the pressure that comes with his position.
Most importantly, he has continued to carry the political burden of the APC at a time when many would rather distance themselves from such responsibility.nThat deserves recognition.
*The APC needs a united house*
The road to 2027 will not be won by one person.
It will not be won by Lawal alone, or by the former governors, ministers, senators, lawmakers, commissioners, local government chairmen, councillors or aspirants individually.
*It will be won by a united APC*
Every stakeholder therefore, has a responsibility to put the future of the party above personal differences.
Lawal has shown that he is prepared to stand in the line of fire for the party. He has taken the bullets when criticisms came and remained at his duty post when the political environment became difficult.
The next phase should not be about humiliating those who disagree with him. It should be about strengthening the APC.
*From survival to victory*
The real test of Lawal's leadership may ultimately not be what happened between 2022 and 2026, but what the Osun APC becomes between now and 2027.
If the lessons of recent defeats are transformed into a stronger, more disciplined, more united and more grassroots-driven party, history may look differently at this period.
Leadership is sometimes about winning elections. At other times, it is about keeping the house standing until the next opportunity to win arrives.
Sooko Tajudeen Lawal has kept the house standing. Now, every APC stakeholder must help strengthen that house. The party must not allow internal disagreement to become internal destruction.
Tajudeen Lawal should continue to take the bullets, but the party must stand with him, strengthen him and work collectively towards one goal: rebuilding a united Osun APC capable of reclaiming victory in 2027.
Unity must come before ambition.
The party must come before individuals.
And the future of the APC must come before the politics of today.
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Mustapha Olamilekan (ASMOF) is the Renewed Hope Ambassador for Ife-East Local Government Council Area of Osun State
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