Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 presidential bid, saying he will not withdraw his endorsement after giving his word.
Mr Adeleke made the declaration on Sunday in Osogbo while receiving the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Ajibola Basiru, and other APC leaders at the Osun State Government House.
The governor said his decision to support Tinubu was not political manoeuvring, stressing that he does not make promises he cannot keep.
“A lot of people thought it was politicking when I endorsed Mr President,” Adeleke said.
He explained that he had previously supported President Tinubu’s preferred candidates for the leadership of the National Assembly, despite indications that some Osun lawmakers were backing Abdulaziz Yari.
According to Mr Adeleke, the President’s Chief of Staff contacted him and asked him to support Senator Godswill Akpabio and Tajudeen Abbas.
“I told the Chief of Staff that I would call them and make sure that they support what Baba (Tinubu) wanted,” he said.
Mr Adeleke added that he personally contacted the lawmakers from Osun and ensured they backed Tinubu’s preferred candidates.
“So, I don’t make empty promises; I don’t play games. That is not me, because I have the fear of God,” he said.
Why Adeleke says he won’t backtrack
The governor also recalled President Tinubu’s intervention when the Osun State Government’s account was frozen by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission shortly before the August 15 governorship election.
He said the experience reinforced his decision to maintain his support for the President.
Mr Adeleke further called on political stakeholders in Osun to put their differences aside and work together for the development of the state.
APC targets 1.5 million votes
Speaking after the meeting, APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, said the collaboration between Adeleke’s Accord Party and the APC could deliver as many as 1.5 million votes for Tinubu in Osun State in the 2027 presidential election.
Mr Basiru said his visit had three purposes: to thank Adeleke for visiting his family and attending his late mother’s burial, congratulate the governor on his re-election, and appreciate him for endorsing Tinubu.
He said, “I also came to thank him for endorsing my leader and our presidential candidate. To also say that we are ready to work together to ensure that we deliver Osun massively for President Bola Tinubu.”
Mr Basiru said Governor Adeleke had not only endorsed Tinubu but had also promised to campaign for him during the 2027 election.
“Definitely, you can see from the last contest, you see, my party performed creditably well in that election, scoring 46 per cent of the votes,” he said.
He argued that the combined strength of the Accord Party and APC could produce about 1.5 million votes for Tinubu.
“In between the Accords and the APC, we have close to one million votes, and with the presidential election, I think we should be looking to working together and get about 1.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu,” Basiru said.
What it means for Osun and 2027
The development signals a significant political alignment in Osun ahead of the 16 January 2027 presidential election, particularly following Mr Adeleke’s victory in the 15 August governorship poll.
Mr Basiru urged APC members in the state to close ranks and work with Adeleke’s camp, while also calling on residents to embrace peace and move beyond disagreements surrounding the governorship election.
“My message to my people in our APC is that we must close ranks and work together, work together to ensure victory for President Bola Tinubu in the January 16 election,” he said.
The emerging collaboration between Mr Adeleke and the APC could therefore become an important factor in the 2027 presidential contest in Osun, with both sides now talking openly about combining their political structures and voter bases.
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