From Romanus Ugwu, Abuja

The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, has denied courting former governor of Osun State, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, for reconciliation to support his governorship aspiration.

He equally dismissed reports that he criticised President Bola Tinubu over his recent hosting of Governor Ademola Adeleke and his family in Lagos.

Senator Ajibola Basiru Campaign Organisation, which issued the denial in a statement, dissociated him from a recent publication titled, “Osun 2026: APC crisis deepens as Basiru, Oyebamiji allegedly court Aregbesola.

The organisation further described the report as false and purely a figment of the writer’s imagination.

“The buildup to the Osun 2026 governorship election has given rise to many fabricated stories and baseless allegations aimed at tarnishing the image of Senator Basiru, a leading aspirant of the APC.

“The most recent lies are the claims that he is courting Aregbesola for reconciliation to support his gubernatorial aspiration and that he criticised President Tinubu over the recent visit of Governor Ademola Adeleke and his family to the President as reported by Daily Post,” the statement read.

While refuting the false claim, the campaign organisation stated that the Osun APC was not in any crisis whatsoever, stressing, “It is on record that Basiru never made any comments about the said visit, as he believes Governor Adeleke can see the president as he so desires both on official and private matters.

“He was not even privy to the discussions that took place during the meeting and as such cannot air his opinions. As a lawyer of reputable integrity, he would not join the fray of speculations, political gossips and innuendos that have enveloped the social media space by political toddlers.”

The statement by the campaign’s spokesperson, Sulieman Ajala, noted that, “Basiru remains respectful and loyal to President Tinubu and would never be part of any plan to disrespect or denigrate the president.

“No member of his campaign organisation is connected to such views, and the group operates with discipline, steering clear of insults or disrespect towards anyone, especially the President of Nigeria.

“Basiru strongly believes in the core principles of the APC and acknowledges that power comes only from God and through the guidance of the party’s leadership. He has maintained a loyal and respectful relationship with President Tinubu for over two decades as a father and mentor.

“He is a man of firm ideals and unwavering commitment to the progressive cause. Basiru would never engage in any act, including making overtures, sending emissaries, or building an unholy alliance with Aregbesola, who is no longer a member of our party, APC. He said he has not been in personal or political contact with Aregbesola since 2021.

“Basiru never did and will not do so as a matter of principle and conviction to any person or group with political interest diametrically opposed to that of President Tinubu. He would not undermine the reputation of the president as his contributions to strengthening the APC, both in Osun State and nationally, have earned him respect within the party structure,” Ajala noted.