The Imole Campaign Council of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has dismissed suggestions that the governor’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election was based on a political agreement between the two leaders.
The campaign council said Adeleke’s support for Tinubu was driven by the President’s performance and economic reforms, insisting that there was no pre-arranged political deal behind the governor’s position.
The council’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, made this known 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 had congratulated Adeleke on his re-election and thanked him for publicly endorsing Tinubu for a second term in 2027.
The minister wrote, “Thank you, Governor Ademola Adeleke, for the public and unequivocal endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 Presidential Election. You are a man of integrity and honour. ‘Agreement is agreement.’”
The remark triggered speculation among some Nigerians that Adeleke’s endorsement could be linked to a private political arrangement with the President.
However, Olajengbesi rejected the suggestion, saying Keyamo’s reference to an agreement should not diminish the mandate given to Adeleke by Osun voters.
“Do not undermine the resilience of Osun people. There is no agreement,” he said.
He explained that the governor’s support for Tinubu was based on what he described as the administration’s economic reforms and their impact on state governments.
“Our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is based on his performance and reforms that have strengthened states economically,” Olajengbesi said.
The campaign council also credited the governor’s victory to the decision of Osun voters, while maintaining that the President’s role was limited to ensuring that the electoral process was allowed to proceed.
“Osun people voted Ademola Adeleke. President Tinubu simply ensured democratic rules were respected,” he added.
The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke the winner of the August 15 governorship election after he secured 511,067 votes, defeating the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes.
Adeleke’s victory secured him a second term as governor of the state.
Following the election, the governor renewed his endorsement of Tinubu’s bid for a second term in 2027, describing the President as a son of Osun State.
Keyamo’s subsequent reference to an “agreement” between Adeleke and Tinubu has nevertheless continued to fuel political speculation, prompting the governor’s camp to clarify that his support for the President was based on policy and performance rather than any political bargain.
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