The camp of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has denied claims of a political agreement between the governor and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
The denial was issued by the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, in a post on X on Sunday, following comments by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, SAN.
Keyamo had congratulated Adeleke on his re-election in the August 15 Osun governorship election and thanked him for what the minister described as the governor’s public and unequivocal endorsement of Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.
In his post, Keyamo said:
“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.’”
However, Olajengbesi rejected any suggestion that Adeleke’s support for Tinubu was based on a political agreement, insisting that the governor’s position was motivated by the President’s performance and economic reforms.
“Do not undermine the resilience of Osun people. There is no agreement,” Olajengbesi stated.
He said Adeleke’s support for the President was based on what the governor and his supporters considered positive developments under the Tinubu administration, particularly reforms that 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,” he said.
The campaign council spokesperson also rejected any attempt to attribute Adeleke’s electoral victory to a political arrangement with the President, insisting that the people of Osun State freely chose the governor at the polls.
According to him, Tinubu’s role was limited to ensuring that the democratic process was allowed to take its course.
“Osun people voted Adeleke. President Tinubu simply ensured democratic rules were respected,” Olajengbesi said.
The controversy emerged shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke the winner of the Osun governorship election, giving him a fresh mandate to continue as governor of the state.
Adeleke’s re-election has attracted reactions from across the political spectrum, with President Tinubu and several political leaders congratulating the governor on his victory.
While Keyamo’s reference to an “agreement” generated speculation about a possible political understanding between Adeleke and the President ahead of 2027, the governor’s camp has now explicitly denied the existence of such an agreement.
The clarification also comes amid growing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with politicians and political groups positioning themselves ahead of the presidential contest.
For Adeleke’s camp, however, the governor’s reported support for Tinubu should be viewed as an endorsement based on the President’s record in office rather than the outcome of a political bargain.
