Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election, saying he has no intention of withdrawing the commitment he has already made.
Adeleke made this known on Sunday in Osogbo when he received the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Ajibola Basiru, and other senior APC members who visited him at the Osun State Government House.
The governor explained that his decision to support Tinubu was based on a personal commitment he made and one he was determined to honour.
He recalled that he had previously backed Tinubu’s preferred candidates during the election of the National Assembly leadership, despite indications that some lawmakers from Osun were supporting Abdulaziz Yari.
According to Adeleke, Tinubu’s Chief of Staff contacted him and asked him to rally support for Senator Godswill Akpabio and Tajudeen Abbas.
The governor said he immediately reached out to Osun lawmakers and persuaded them to support the President’s choices.
He added that Tinubu subsequently recognised his support at a National Executive Council meeting.
Adeleke said his decision to stand by Tinubu was also strengthened by the President’s response when the state government’s account was frozen by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission shortly before the August 15 governorship election.
He said, “I don’t make empty promises; I don’t play games. That is not me, because I have the fear of God.”
The governor urged political leaders and other stakeholders in Osun to put their differences aside and cooperate in the interest of the state’s development.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, Basiru said the APC was prepared to work with Adeleke and the ruling Accord to secure a significant number of votes for Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.
Basiru said the collaboration could potentially deliver about 1.5 million votes for the President in Osun.
He explained that his visit to Adeleke had three main purposes: to appreciate the governor for his support during the burial of his late mother, Alhaja Sidikatu Basiru; congratulate him on his victory in the recent governorship election; and thank him for endorsing Tinubu.
Basiru recalled that Adeleke had visited his family and attended his mother’s burial ceremony, where the governor reportedly wore an agbada similar to the one worn by him.
He said he could not immediately return the visit because the governorship election campaign was ongoing and he was actively supporting the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
Basiru further stated that Adeleke had not only endorsed Tinubu but had also agreed to campaign for the President ahead of the 2027 election.
According to him, the APC secured about 46 per cent of the votes in the recent governorship election, while the combined strength of the APC and Accord could provide a much larger voting bloc in the presidential contest.
He said, “Between Accord 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.”
The APC national secretary also appealed to residents of Osun to maintain peace and move beyond the disagreements generated by the governorship election.
He urged members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in the state to settle their internal disputes and work together.
Basiru said political differences should not prevent residents from collectively pursuing better infrastructure and improved living conditions across Osun State.
