No secret pact behind Adeleke’s support for Tinubu, campaign council clarifies

By Johnson Arua

The Imole Campaign Council of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has denied the existence of any political agreement between the governor and President Bola Tinubu in connection with Adeleke’s endorsement of the President for the 2027 presidential election.

The council said Adeleke’s support for Tinubu was based on the President’s performance and economic reforms, rather than any pre-arranged political deal.

The council’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, made the clarification in a post on his X handle on Sunday, 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 his “public and unequivocal endorsement” of Tinubu for a second term in 2027, adding: “You are a man of integrity and honour. Agreement is agreement.”

The minister’s reference to an “agreement” triggered reactions online, with some interpreting the comment as confirmation of a private political arrangement between Adeleke and Tinubu.

However, Olajengbesi dismissed the interpretation, saying there was no agreement between the two politicians and warning against undermining the decision of Osun voters.

“Do not undermine the resilience of Osun people. There is no agreement,” he said.

He added that Adeleke’s support for Tinubu was based on what he described as the President’s performance and reforms, which he said had strengthened the economic position of states.

“Our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is based on his performance and reforms that have strengthened states economically,” Olajengbesi stated.

The council spokesman also maintained that Adeleke’s victory in the August 15 governorship election was a direct reflection of the choice of Osun voters.

“Osun people voted @AAdeleke_01. President Tinubu simply ensured democratic rules were respected,” he said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke, the Accord Party candidate, winner of the election after he polled 511,067 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, who scored 444,815 votes.

Adeleke, who secured a second term in office, had earlier reaffirmed his support for Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027, describing the President as a son of Osun State.

Keyamo’s “agreement is agreement” comment came shortly after the endorsement, prompting renewed speculation about the nature of the relationship between the two politicians.

The Imole Campaign Council, however, insisted that Adeleke’s endorsement was not tied to any political bargain, but was based on his assessment of Tinubu’s administration.