Adeleke speaks on deal he had with Tinubu
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has denied having any political agreement with President Bola Tinubu in exchange for his decision to support the President’s bid for a second term in 2027.
Adeleke made this known during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics, where he explained that his decision was based mainly on regional considerations and his desire to see Tinubu continue his projects and reforms in the South-West.
The governor said he did not enter into any formal arrangement with Tinubu before declaring his support for the President.
According to him, his backing is connected to the fact that Tinubu is from the South-West and that he believes the region should give the President more time to complete some of the projects his administration has started.
Adeleke’s position comes despite the fact that he belongs to the Accord Party, while Tinubu is of the All Progressives Congress.
The two politicians have remained on good terms in recent years, with Adeleke visiting the President on several occasions and Tinubu also maintaining contact with the Osun governor.
After winning another term as governor of Osun State, Adeleke publicly expressed his support for Tinubu’s return to office in the 2027 presidential election.
The declaration attracted reactions from members of the public, with some questioning how a PDP governor could openly support an APC presidential candidate.
Adeleke, however, said his decision was not the result of a private political bargain.
He maintained that he simply wants the Federal Government to continue paying attention to development in the South-West, especially in areas such as road construction.
The governor also made it clear that his support for Tinubu would be strong when the 2027 presidential campaign begins.
He said he would be ready to work with politicians from the APC if doing so would help him support the President.
This could include working with Bola Oyebamiji, the APC candidate he defeated in the Osun governorship election, as well as former Osun Governor Gboyega Oyetola.
Adeleke said party differences would not prevent him from working with them if the purpose was to support Tinubu.
He also indicated that he would be available to assist Tinubu in whatever role the President considers appropriate during the 2027 campaign.
The governor’s comments followed a recent reaction from Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo, who praised Adeleke after the governor renewed his support for Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Keyamo had referred to Adeleke’s declaration as a firm political commitment.
Adeleke’s relationship with Tinubu has attracted attention because of the political rivalry between their parties.
The governor defeated the APC candidate in the Osun election while continuing to maintain a relationship with the President at the federal level.
Adeleke was first elected governor of Osun State in 2022 and secured another term in the 2026 governorship election.
He won 511,067 votes to defeat Oyebamiji, who received 444,815 votes. ADC candidate Najeem Salaam came third with 17,180 votes.
The result gave Adeleke victory in 19 of Osun State’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won in 11.
