Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola have set aside their political rivalry to mobilise support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
The two leaders, who were fierce opponents in the 2022 Osun governorship election, jointly unveiled 30 campaign vehicles in Osogbo on Saturday to boost the President’s re-election bid.
The vehicles were donated by Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, through the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, and are fitted with speakers, generators and amplifiers for grassroots campaigning.
The event drew supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Accord Party, including APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru, Osun APC Chairman Tajudeen Lawal, Accord Party Chairman in Osun Victor Akande, and Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly Adewale Egbedun.
Reading Governor Adeleke’s address, Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi said the coalition was formed specifically to secure Tinubu’s second term. He urged members to put aside past disagreements and deliver between 1.5 million and two million votes for the President.
“Our goal is simple: to deliver between 1.5 million and two million votes for President Tinubu. We must take this message to every community and explain the benefits of the Federal Government’s projects and economic reforms,” Adeleke said.
He, however, clarified that the agreement covered only the presidential election, saying members remain free to campaign for their respective candidates in the Senate, House of Representatives and State House of Assembly races.
Speaking on behalf of Oyetola, Bola Oyebamiji said the President’s re-election campaign was gaining cross-party support, describing Adeleke’s role in coordinating the Rainbow Campaign Council as proof that Tinubu’s victory was more important than individual political interests.
“We are targeting 1.5 million votes for Tinubu in Osun State, and this is achievable through unity and effective mobilisation,” Oyebamiji said, while also urging voters to support APC candidates in the legislative elections.
Basiru called on Osun residents to back the President in 2027, citing initiatives such as the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) and federal road projects in the state, including the Ilesa-Ife-Ibadan Expressway, Osogbo-Gbongan Expressway and Osogbo-Iwo-Ibadan roads.
Representing Tompolo, the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited, Dr Kestin Pondi, said the vehicles came fully equipped for grassroots campaigning, adding that more resources would be provided to strengthen the campaign. He urged Osun State to deliver all its votes for Tinubu.
The Osun coordinator of the PBAT Door-to-Door Movement, Timothy Olanrewaju, also promised that the group would work to secure maximum support for the President.
Despite the alliance, Adeleke and Oyetola maintained some distance from each other at the event. Their differences were also noticeable during the recent inauguration of the Osun State Presidential Campaign Council, which Oyetola and several APC leaders did not attend.
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