Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has ruled out withdrawing his support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that he remains committed to the endorsement he previously gave the President. The governor spoke on Sunday when the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Ajibola Basiru, led other senior party members […]
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has ruled out withdrawing his support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that he remains committed to the endorsement he previously gave the President.
The governor spoke on Sunday when the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Ajibola Basiru, led other senior party members on a courtesy visit to the Osun Government House in Osogbo.
Adeleke said his support for Tinubu was based on a deliberate decision rather than political calculations, pointing to his previous role in helping the President secure his preferred candidates during the National Assembly leadership contest.
He recalled that Tinubu’s Chief of Staff had contacted him during the contest and requested his support for Godswill Akpabio and Tajudeen Abbas, who were seeking the positions of Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives respectively.
Although Adeleke said some federal lawmakers from Osun were initially inclined to support Abdulaziz Yari, he said he personally contacted them and persuaded them to follow the President’s preferred direction.
The governor stressed that he is a man who keeps his promises, saying he had assured the President’s Chief of Staff that he would deliver the support requested from Osun lawmakers.
Adeleke also cited Tinubu’s response when the Osun State Government’s account was frozen by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission shortly before the August 15 governorship election as part of the events that reinforced his position.
He said he does not make political promises without intending to honour them, adding that his endorsement of Tinubu should therefore not be viewed as something he is preparing to withdraw.
The governor subsequently appealed to political actors across Osun to put their differences behind them and concentrate on issues capable of improving the lives of residents and developing the state.
Basiru, while addressing journalists after the meeting, said the APC was prepared to work with Adeleke’s political structure to deliver a massive vote for Tinubu in Osun in the 2027 presidential election.
According to him, the President could receive up to 1.5 million votes in the state if the APC and Accord successfully combine their political strength ahead of the poll.
Basiru said the APC had secured about 46 per cent of the votes in the recent governorship election, while the combined voting strength of the APC and Accord was close to one million votes.
He therefore expressed optimism that the figures could rise considerably during the presidential election, especially with Adeleke’s endorsement and his reported commitment to campaign for Tinubu.
The APC chieftain also congratulated Adeleke on his governorship victory, despite the fact that the governor defeated the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, in the election.
Basiru said his visit was also to appreciate Adeleke for visiting his family and attending the burial of his late mother, Alhaja Sidikatu Basiru, adding that he considered it important to reciprocate the governor’s gesture.
He further called for unity and peace in Osun, urging residents to move beyond the disputes surrounding the governorship election. He also appealed to members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers to resolve their differences peacefully.
Basiru said APC members must close ranks and work collectively with their political partners to secure victory for Tinubu in the January 16, 2027 presidential election.