THE Imole Campaign Council of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has dismissed suggestions that the governor’s endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027 was the result of a political agreement between the two politicians.
News Point Nigeria reports that the council said Adeleke’s decision to back Tinubu was based on the President’s performance and reforms, rather than any pre-arranged political deal.
The council’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, stated this in a post on his X handle on Sunday while reacting to a remark by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who had congratulated Adeleke on his re-election but added: “Agreement is agreement.”
“Thank you, Governor Ademola Adeleke, for the public and unequivocal endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT for the 2027 Presidential Election. You are a man of integrity and honour. ‘Agreement is agreement,’” Keyamo said.
The minister’s remark sparked reactions online, with some interpreting it as an indication of a private understanding between Adeleke and Tinubu.
However, Olajengbesi rejected the suggestion, insisting that there was no political pact behind the governor’s support for the President.
“Do not undermine the resilience of Osun people. There is no agreement,” he said.
He explained that Adeleke’s support for Tinubu was driven by what he described as the President’s performance and reforms.
“Our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, @officialABAT, is based on his performance and reforms that have strengthened states economically,” Olajengbesi said.
He also insisted that Adeleke’s victory in the August 15 governorship election was determined by Osun voters, while crediting Tinubu with ensuring that the democratic process was respected.
“Osun people voted @AAdeleke_01. President Tinubu simply ensured democratic rules were respected,” he said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) 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 (APC), who scored 444,815 votes.
Adeleke secured a second term in office after defeating Oyebamiji and had earlier reaffirmed his endorsement of Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, describing the President as a “son of Osun State.”
The governor renewed his support for Tinubu while delivering his victory speech after securing re-election in the August 15 Osun governorship election.
Adeleke praised Tinubu for what he described as the President’s support for a free and fair electoral process in the state.
“At this point, I must deeply appreciate Mr President, His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his strong support for a free and fair election,” Adeleke said.
He also described Tinubu as “a son of Osun State” before formally reaffirming his endorsement of the President for another term.
“Mr President is a son of Osun State and I hereby reaffirm my earlier endorsement of him for second term in the 2027 presidential election,” the governor said.
Keyamo’s “agreement is agreement” remark followed Adeleke’s endorsement, with the minister thanking the governor for his public and unequivocal support for Tinubu and describing him as a “man of integrity and honour.”
Keyamo had said: “Thank you, Governor Ademola Adeleke, for the public and unequivocal endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 Presidential Election.
“You are a man of integrity and honour. ‘Agreement is agreement.’”
The Imole Campaign Council, however, maintained that Adeleke’s endorsement was not tied to any political arrangement, insisting that his support was based on Tinubu’s performance and reforms and that Osun voters alone determined the outcome of the governorship election.