Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has pledged to work for the reelection of President Bola Tinubu in 2027, declaring that the ongoing political crisis over local government control in his state will not affect his support for the President.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor reaffirmed his endorsement of Tinubu, emphasizing that their political differences at the state level do not extend to the presidency.
“We have no problem with President Tinubu. He is our leader. He represents the South West,” Adeleke was quoted as saying during a meeting with cabinet members and political aides at the Government House in Osogbo. “I restate our endorsement of Mr President for re-election in the best interest of the South West.”
The meeting was attended by Deputy Governor Prince Kola Adewusi, the governor’s elder sister Dupe Adeleke-Sanni, and Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly Adewale Egbedun, among others.
Adeleke also thanked residents for their support following his defection to the Accord Party, noting that the party’s popularity was growing rapidly across the state.
“Osun has become yellow, and this is even spreading beyond the state. Our local chapters are organising weekly activities that are attracting thousands of participants,” he said.
He directed his aides and party loyalists to strengthen grassroots structures across all 332 wards, urging them to showcase the government’s achievements ahead of future elections.
Despite his pledge of support for Tinubu, Adeleke remains locked in a heated dispute with the All Progressives Congress (APC) over the control of local government councils in Osun. The crisis stems from rival claims following the October 2022 local government elections conducted under former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola.
APC-backed chairmen, citing a Court of Appeal ruling in Akure, resumed office in February 2025, but the Adeleke administration conducted a fresh local government election on February 22, 2025, which was won by candidates of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The dispute has since led to violent clashes, resulting in the deaths of at least six persons, including a local government chairman, Remi Abbas.
Both parties are currently seeking legal validation of their mandates in court.
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