Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, alongside the state leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has formally declared their support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in the 2027 presidential election.
This decision comes amid recent speculation that Governor Adeleke was planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress, APC, a move that reportedly faced strong resistance from members of the Osun State APC.
The endorsement of Tinubu by Governor Adeleke and the PDP was officially confirmed during a stakeholders’ meeting held on Monday at the Government House in Oke-Fia, Osogbo.
A communiqué released after the meeting was signed by Governor Adeleke, Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, Speaker of the House of Assembly Adewale Egbedun, former Governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and 24 other notable party leaders.
The communiqué highlighted the significance of local politics and the views of grassroots supporters as key factors influencing their political choices.
It also clarified that the rumored defection plan did not stem from Governor Adeleke and had encountered “strong resistance” from APC members in Osun, who had publicly criticized him on social media and national platforms.
The communiqué also stated that while PDP members were initially uncomfortable with the defection idea, they had agreed to stand by the governor out of loyalty.
The party leaders reiterated that Governor Adeleke, his administration, and the PDP continue to be the dominant political force in the state.
The party leaders stressed that Adeleke, his administration, and the PDP remain the most popular and widely accepted political force in the state.
“That the majority of the members of the APC in Osun State are opposed to the idea of the defection of Governor Adeleke to the APC, which did not originate from the governor in the first instance.
“Some APC leaders based on entrenched interests, have demonstrated hostility and resentment towards Governor Ademola Adeleke. Some went on social media and national television to call Governor Adeleke all kinds of unprintable names.
“That the majority of PDP members in Osun State are not happy about the idea of the defection of Governor Adeleke to APC, but only reluctantly agreed to follow Governor Adeleke to wherever he goes to show their love, support and loyalty to his leadership.
“That the state governor, the state government, and the PDP as a political party remain very popular and acceptable above all other political parties in Osun State.
“Consequently, the leaders hereby resolve that the PDP in Osun State recognises the fact that Osun State is the ancestral home of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which makes the President the son of Osun State. Therefore, the PDP in Osun State hereby adopts and endorses President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in the 2027 presidential election.
“That PDP in Osun State reaffirms its adoption and endorsement of Governor Ademola Adeleke for re-election in the 2026 governorship election on the platform of the PDP.
“That Governor Ademola Adeleke and all members of the PDP in Osun State should remain in the PDP. That the leadership of the PDP in Osun State is directed to disseminate the resolution to all structures of the party in the state.
“That the state governor is enjoined to forge ahead with governance and implementation of the administration’s Five Point Agenda.”
