2027: I NEVER AGREED TO SUPPORT TINUBU’S RE-ELECTION, MY BACKING WAS BASED ON HIS REGION

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By:Tajudeen Aminat

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has said his decision to support President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid was not based on any political agreement between them.

Adeleke explained that his support was motivated by the fact that Tinubu is a Yoruba man from the South-West, adding that he wanted to encourage the President to continue his development projects in the region.

The governor made this known during an interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

Adeleke and Tinubu have maintained a cordial relationship despite belonging to opposing political parties, with the Osun governor making visits to the President while Tinubu has also engaged with him.

Following his re-election, Adeleke publicly reaffirmed his support for Tinubu’s bid for a second term in 2027. The declaration, however, attracted criticism from some Nigerians who questioned the political alliance.

Responding to whether his support was based on a political or personal agreement, particularly following Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo’s remark that “agreement is agreement,” Adeleke said there was no such arrangement.

He said his backing was primarily based on regional considerations and his desire to see federal projects in the South-West completed.

Adeleke said, “No, I never reached agreement with Mr President. My support is just based on, he’s a Yoruba man, and he’s from the South-West, and I believe that all the federal roads that he has started, I want to encourage him not to forget the South-West too because all our federal roads lead to other regions.”

He added, “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.”

Asked if he would support Tinubu “all out” in the 2027 presidential election, Adeleke responded, “Big time, I will.”

The governor also said he was prepared to work with APC members, including his defeated opponent, Bola Oyebamiji, and former Osun governor Gboyega Oyetola, in support of Tinubu’s re-election bid.

He said he would be willing to work with them because his decision was based on supporting the President.

Adeleke further stated that he would support Tinubu in whatever capacity the President required when the 2027 campaign begins.

His comments followed Keyamo’s public appreciation of the governor for reaffirming his support for Tinubu.

In a post on X, Keyamo described Adeleke as a “man of integrity and honour” and thanked him for his “public and unequivocal endorsement” of Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.

Adeleke, who was first elected governor of Osun State in 2022, secured re-election in the recent governorship election with 511,067 votes, defeating APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes. ADC candidate Najeem Salaam came third with 17,180 votes.

The governor won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured victory in 11.