Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has explained that he will support President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election because of the President’s Yoruba identity and his South-West origin, rather than any political agreement between them.
Adeleke clarified while speaking on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, shortly after securing re-election in the Osun governorship election.
The governor said he never reached an agreement with Tinubu to support his bid for a second term, dismissing suggestions that their cordial relationship was based on a political deal.
According to him, his support is motivated by the need to encourage Tinubu to continue with development projects and reforms in the South-West.
“No, I never reached an agreement with Mr President. My support is just based on the fact that he’s a Yoruba man, and he’s from the South-West,” Adeleke said.
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He added that Tinubu should be given another opportunity to consolidate his reforms and complete ongoing projects, particularly federal road projects across the region.
“And I feel like, well, since a Yoruba man has won the first term, maybe we should give him another chance to develop his reforms,” the governor said.
Asked whether his support for Tinubu in 2027 would be total, Adeleke responded: “Big time, I will.”
He also said he was prepared to work with members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including his former opponent, Bola Oyebamiji, and former Osun Governor Gboyega Oyetola, if necessary to support Tinubu.
“As long as it’s … I’m doing it for Mr President. So I wouldn’t mind; I will work with them,” Adeleke said.
The governor further pledged to support Tinubu in whatever capacity the President requires when the 2027 campaign begins.
“Whenever Mr President, when it’s time for him to campaign and all that, whatever how he wants me to come in, I will do it,” he said.
Adeleke’s comments followed a public endorsement of Tinubu that drew reactions, including from Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister, Festus Keyamo, who thanked the governor for what he described as an unequivocal endorsement.
Keyamo had described Adeleke as “a man of integrity and honour” and stated, “Agreement is agreement.”
Adeleke, however, maintained that there was no prior agreement with the President.
The governor won Saturday’s Osun governorship election with 511,067 votes, defeating APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes. African Democratic Congress candidate Najeem Salaam came third with 17,180 votes.
Adeleke won in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.
