By Taiwo Scholarstica
The Imole Campaign Council of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has dismissed claims that the governor’s support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid was based on a political agreement between the two leaders.
The council said Adeleke’s decision to endorse Tinubu was driven by the President’s performance and reforms, rather than any private arrangement or political deal.
The council’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, made the clarification in a post on his X handle on Sunday while reacting to a statement by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.
Keyamo, while congratulating Adeleke on his victory in the August 15 Osun governorship election, had referred to an “agreement” between the governor and the President.
He wrote, “Thank you, Governor Ademola Adeleke, for the public and unequivocal endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT for the 2027 Presidential Election. You are a man of integrity and honour. ‘Agreement is agreement.’”
The comment generated reactions online, with some interpreting the minister’s words as an indication that a political understanding existed between Adeleke and Tinubu.
However, Olajengbesi rejected the suggestion, insisting that Adeleke’s support for the President was based on his assessment of Tinubu’s administration.
Responding to Keyamo’s post, he said, “Do not undermine the resilience of Osun people. There is no agreement.”
He explained that the governor’s position was influenced by what he described as the positive impact of Tinubu’s policies and reforms on states across the country.
“Our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, @officialABAT, is based on his performance and reforms that have strengthened states economically,” Olajengbesi said.
The campaign council also sought to draw a clear line between Adeleke’s electoral victory and the President’s role in the election, maintaining that the governor won because of the decision of Osun voters.
According to Olajengbesi, the people of the state freely exercised their franchise, while Tinubu’s role was to ensure that the democratic process was allowed to take its course.
“Osun people voted @AAdeleke_01. President Tinubu simply ensured democratic rules were respected,” he stated.
The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke, who contested under the Accord Party, the winner of the election after he polled 511,067 votes. His closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, scored 444,815 votes.
The result secured Adeleke a second term in office and came after a closely watched election that attracted significant political attention across the country.
Adeleke had earlier publicly endorsed Tinubu for a second term in 2027, describing the President as a “son of Osun State.”
The endorsement was notable because Adeleke and Tinubu belong to different political camps, with Adeleke contesting the Osun governorship election under the Accord Party while Tinubu is the leader of the All Progressives Congress-led Federal Government.
Keyamo’s reference to an “agreement” therefore sparked speculation about the relationship between the two politicians.
However, the Imole Campaign Council maintained that no political bargain was behind Adeleke’s endorsement.
The council’s position suggests that the governor’s support for Tinubu should instead be viewed as a political decision based on the President’s performance and the reforms which, according to Adeleke’s camp, have had an impact on the states.
As political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections gradually intensify, Adeleke’s endorsement of Tinubu is expected to remain a subject of discussion, particularly given the political dynamics surrounding Osun State and the wider South-West region.