Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027, saying he would not withdraw his endorsement after publicly giving his word.
Adeleke made the declaration on Sunday in Osogbo while receiving the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Ajibola Basiru, and other prominent APC members who visited him at the Osun State Government House.
The governor said his decision to support Tinubu was based on a commitment he had made and would not be reversed for political convenience.
Adeleke recalled that he had previously supported Tinubu’s preferred candidates for the leadership positions of the National Assembly despite pressure from different political interests.
He said the decision was made after he received a message from the President’s Chief of Staff requesting that he endorse Senator Godswill Akpabio for Senate President and Tajudeen Abbas for Speaker of the House of Representatives.
According to Adeleke, many people initially dismissed his support for Tinubu as mere political manoeuvring.
“A lot of people thought it was politicking when I endorsed Mr President,” he said.
He explained that during the election of the National Assembly’s principal officers, politicians were backing different candidates, with former Zamfara State Governor Abdulaziz Yari initially considered a strong contender.
Adeleke said he was contacted by the President’s Chief of Staff, who informed him that Tinubu wanted to speak with him about supporting Akpabio and Abbas.
“I asked if I had offended the President, but he said no; it was about endorsing Senator Godswill Akpabio and Tajudeen Abbas,” he said.
The Osun governor also cited what he described as Tinubu’s show of empathy during a difficult period for his administration, when the state government’s account was frozen by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission shortly before the August 15 governorship election.
Adeleke said the experience further reinforced his decision to maintain his commitment to the President.
He therefore dismissed speculation that he could reverse his position ahead of the 2027 presidential election, insisting that he would stand by the promise he had made.
