Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has dismissed reports suggesting that he reached an agreement with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to share legislative and local government positions as part of his political alliance with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The governor described the reports as false, insisting that the understanding between him and the Presidency is primarily aimed at securing Tinubu’s re-election in the 2027 presidential election.
Adeleke’s clarification followed social media reports alleging that the political arrangement included sharing positions in local government councils, the Senate, the House of Representatives, and the Osun State House of Assembly between the Accord Party and the APC.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor clarified that the alliance does not extend to legislative elections, maintaining that candidates of the Accord Party will continue to seek electoral support independently.
Addressing the ongoing local government crisis in the state, Adeleke said efforts are being made to resolve the dispute in a manner that protects the interests of all stakeholders, including APC chairpersons and elected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairpersons and councillors.
“As the governor of all Osun indigenes and residents, we are working to resolve the local government matter by ensuring that all interests are protected and cared for. As of now, all stakeholders agree that restoring grassroots governance is a condition for our successful campaign ahead of the 2027 elections,” the statement quoted him as saying.
The governor expressed optimism that the local government crisis will be resolved before the end of the year, adding that the restoration of grassroots governance remains important to the political process ahead of the next elections.
He, however, denied entering into any agreement with the Osun APC to share legislative positions, reiterating that the coalition involving Tinubu is focused strictly on the presidential election.
“As I said while inaugurating the Presidential Campaign Council, the coalition is targeted at the presidential election. Partners agreed to join hands to ensure our dear President is re-elected. All other legislative positions are open for competition. I will work and campaign for Accord candidates for the Senate, House of Representatives, and the State House of Assembly,” Adeleke said.
He urged political parties to campaign for their respective candidates, insisting that the electorate will ultimately determine the outcome of legislative elections.
“I urge all political parties to campaign for their candidates, as I will do for Accord candidates. We have no deal on the National Assembly and State Assembly elections. All our candidates will face the electorate, who have the final say,” the governor added.
