By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has issued a stern warning to some key figures within the Osun State chapter of the party, urging them to stop making statements that undermine the office of President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking in a strongly worded statement released to newsmen, the former Senate spokesman condemned the recent utterances of certain party chieftains Hon. Timothy Owoeye, Ismail Omipidan, and Bola Oyebamiji accusing them of dragging the image of the APC into disrepute and threatening party unity.

Basiru, popularly known as SRJ, described the trio as “political toddlers” whose actions, he said, reek of desperation, ignorance, and a lack of respect for the presidency and the values of the APC.

“It is sad that these so-called leaders, in their bid for relevance, have reduced the image of Osun APC to a national laughingstock,” he said. “What level of political bankruptcy makes anyone question President Tinubu’s constitutional and moral right to welcome any Nigerian, regardless of party or region?”

His reaction followed comments from the camp loyal to former Governor Gboyega Oyetola, who reportedly criticised the presence of Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke at a recent event hosted by President Tinubu.

According to Basiru, such criticism is not only ill-conceived but also a blatant affront to the authority of the President and the spirit of national unity.

“Let them hear this loud and clear,” he said. “Their statements don’t just belittle the President — they insult the very idea of a united Nigeria.”

Using a popular Yoruba expression, the APC scribe advised the three men to start “using Ori pipe” — meaning they should begin to apply wisdom and good judgment in their political conduct.

He openly ridiculed their 2026 ambitions, describing them as “failed dreams built on entitlement and noise,” and predicted they would not survive a free and fair APC primary.

“These local champions think they can bamboozle their way to the governorship ticket,” he said. “Let it be known: the APC is not a daycare centre for entitled apprentices. You cannot insult the President today and expect to ride on his name tomorrow.”

The senator reserved his harshest criticism for Hon. Timothy Owoeye, the immediate past Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, accusing him of consistently embarrassing the party.

“Owoeye should step back from the media,” Basiru stated. “His frequent, senseless commentaries only serve to ridicule the APC. If he still possesses any political honour, he should yield the floor to those with sense and dignity.”

Basiru painted a grim picture of the state of the APC in Osun. He said the party is now deeply fractured with one faction aligned with progressive, Tinubu-aligned ideals, and the other stuck in outdated politics and personal entitlement, dancing to the tune of Oyetola, Baba Bisi Akande, and Otunba Iyiola Omisore.“The reality is stark,” he warned.

“The Osun APC is no longer a coherent political vehicle. With every reckless outburst from the Oyetola-Oyebamiji-Owoeye camp, the party’s credibility erodes not just in the eyes of the public, but also before the President himself.”

Basiru called on the Presidency to take note of these developments and reconsider its engagement with individuals he described as “reckless elements” within the Osun APC.

“If these are the voices claiming to represent the future of our party in Osun,” he concluded, “then that future is nothing but a slow march toward political irrelevance.”