In a surprising political twist, newly re-elected Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has reaffirmed his endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 presidential election, despite belonging to opposing political parties.
The Accord Party governor made the declaration during a Sunday press conference, shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officially declared him the winner of the August 15 governorship election, where nearly one million votes were cast.
A Son of Osun
Adeleke, who secured victory in 19 local government areas, described Tinubu as “a son of Osun state” while expressing gratitude for the President’s role in ensuring a transparent electoral process.
“At this point, I must deeply appreciate Mr. President, His Excellency Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his strong support for a free and fair election,” Adeleke stated. “Mr. President is a son of Osun state, and I hereby reaffirm my earlier endorsement of him for a second term in the 2027 presidential election.”
Election Results
The governorship race saw Adeleke triumph with a significant margin over his closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who polled 444,815 votes across 11 local government areas. Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) finished a distant third with 17,180 votes.
The election proceeded amid heightened tension and apprehension following reports of violence and attacks in the days leading up to the poll.
Political Implications
Adeleke’s endorsement carries notable weight given that his Accord Party is not fielding a candidate for the presidential election, potentially positioning him as a key ally for Tinubu’s re-election campaign in the South-West region.
