2027: I won’t backtrack on Tinubu endorsement, says Adeleke

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has declared that his endorsement of President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election is intact, saying he can’t go back on his backing after giving his words of support.

Adeleke disclosed this in Osogbo on Sunday while receiving the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress, Ajibola Basiru and some prominent members of the party who had paid him a courtesy visit at the Osun Government House in Osogbo.

The governor recalled how he promised to support Tinubu’s candidates for the principal positions of the National Assembly and stuck to the decision, saying Tinubu also showed empathy when the government’s account was frozen by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission a few days to the August 15 governorship poll.

“A lot of people thought it was politicking when I endorsed Mr President.

“From day one, during the election of the principal officer of the National Assembly, everybody was going in different directions.

“In fact, (Abdulaziz) Yari was cruising to victory at that time, but the Chief of Staff called me that Mr President would like to talk to me.

 I asked if I had offended the President, but he said no; it was about endorsing Senator Godswill Akpabio and Tajudeen Abass.

“I told the Chief of Staff to tell the President that there was nothing to worry about, but I was suspecting that my people (senators and House of Representatives members from Osun State) were tilting towards Yari.

“I told the Chief of Staff that I would call them and make sure that they support what Baba (Tinubu) wanted.

“The Chief of Staff asked me if I was sure it was going to be possible. I said, when I say something, I never fail.

“So, I called them. My private jet was waiting for me in Ibadan. I said, I will be in Ibadan and sort everything. I chatted with Senator Lere Oyewumi to tell everyone of them that things have changed and they must all support what the President wanted.

“We had a National Executive Council meeting that day, and I knew Baba (Tinubu) would be there. As a matter of fact, the President gave me a powerful recognition at the meeting. I was sitting there, and the President came in, and he was looking for me. So, I don’t make empty promises; I don’t play games. That is not me, because I have the fear of God,” Adeleke said.

He called on all stakeholders in Osun affairs to shelve their differences and work together for the development of the state.

Addressing journalists after the meeting, Basiru said Tinubu may get as much as 1.5 million votes in Osun State in the next general election with the collaboration between the ruling Accord and the APC.

Accompanied by ex-Deputy Speaker of the state House of Assembly, Adegboye Akintunde, Osun APC Assistant State Secretary, Waheed Adediran, ex-member of Osun State House of Assembly representing Osogbo State Constituency, Adeoye Adelakun, among others, Basiru said the visit to the governor was to congratulate him on his victory at the governorship poll, and to appreciate him for the support he received during the burial of his mother, late Alhaja Sidikatu Basiru.

He said, “My visit here is threefold; I want to thank His Excellency and also to return the visit he made to my house during the time I lost my mother.

“You know that it was well reported that he came to my house; His Excellency came to my house to visit me and my family. He also graciously attended the burial ceremonies for my mother. He even wore a complete agbada of the same attire that I wore. So I came to thank him as is expected of an Omoluabi.

“I could not return the visit that time because we were in the contest of election that time and you also know that my candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, was in the race and I campaigned vigorously for his success in the election.

“The second is also to congratulate him for his victory in the election, even though he defeated our candidate and our party in the election.

“You also know that yesterday, our candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, also congratulated him. I also came to congratulate him for his victory in the election.

“Thirdly, I also came to thank him for endorsing my leader and our presidential candidate. To also say that we are ready to work together to ensure that we deliver Osun massively for President Bola Tinubu.

“Those are the three reasons why I’m here: to thank him for visiting my family and attending my mother’s burial. To congratulate him and also to thank him for supporting and endorsing our President.”

Speaking on the preparation for the 2027 general elections in the state, the ex-Osun Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice said Adeleke, besides endorsing Tinubu, also promised to be on the field on campaign for the President.

Using the number of votes polled by the parties in the last Osun governorship poll as a yardstick, Basiru said the collaboration between the Accord and the APC should give the President 1.5 million votes.

He said, “The governor, as I also said, not only endorsed, he will also be on the field to campaign vigorously for President Bola Tinubu for the January 16 presidential election.

“Definitely, you can even see from the last contest, you see, my party performed creditably well in that election, scoring 46 per cent of the votes.

“In between the Accords and the APC, we have close to one million votes, and with the presidential election, I think we should be looking to working together and get about 1.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu.”

He called on the residents to embrace peace, charging members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers in the state to resolve disagreements in their fold.

He also charged the residents to put the disagreement bordering on the last governorship poll behind them, noting that “All of us belong to this place; we must work to ensure that we have meaningful infrastructure and a good living for the people of Osun. So that is my message.

“My message to my people in our APC is that we must close ranks and work together, work together to ensure victory for President Bola Tinubu in the January 16 election.”