Adeleke visits Tinubu after Osun poll victory

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Thursday met with Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Adeleke arrived at the forecourt of the Villa at about 5:25 pm, alongside some top officials from Osun State.

The meeting came days after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Adeleke winner of the August 15 governorship election, in which he defeated Bola Oyebamiji of Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC).

Although opposition political parties claimed Adeleke’s victory signalled a setback for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid, the Osun governor was quick to thank the President and endorse him for next year’s general polls.

Adeleke later specifically denied working with the African Democratic Congress (ADC) to secure electoral victory.

Also, Tinubu had personally called Adeleke to congratulate him after the result was announced. The President described the outcome as “a fitting assurance that democracy will continue to flourish in our country” and urged the governor to unite Osun residents, regardless of their political choices in the election.

Those spotted arriving at the State House at about 5:40 pm included the Director-General of Adeleke Campaign Council, Senator Lere Oyewumi; a council member, Mr Sunday Bisi; the Chief of Staff to the Osun State Governor, Akinleye Kazeem; and Bamidele Salam, member representing Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency.

Adeleke won the August 15 poll under the Accord Party by a margin of 66,252 votes, taking 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.

The victory has drawn political attention, especially after the Osun chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) adopted Adeleke’s candidacy and directed its structures to support his re-election bid.

The meeting with Tinubu is attracting further interest as political realignments gather pace ahead of the 2027 general elections.