After Re-Election, Adeleke Backs Tinubu for 2027, Calls Him Osun Son

By Sunday Ameh

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has renewed his support for President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term in the 2027 presidential election, describing the President as a “son of Osun State.”

Adeleke made the declaration on Sunday, shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission declared him the winner of the August 15 governorship election.

The governor, who had earlier endorsed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential contest, also praised the President for what he described as his support for a free and fair election in Osun.

“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.

“Mr President is a son of Osun State, and I hereby reaffirm my earlier endorsement of him for a second term in the 2027 presidential election,” Adeleke said.

The endorsement is coming despite Adeleke’s political journey in the 2026 governorship election, which saw him contest under the Accord Party after leaving the Peoples Democratic Party.

Adeleke was declared winner of the poll at about 7:24 am on Sunday by the State Returning Officer, Prof Joshua Ogunwole, the Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti.

The governor polled 511,067 votes to defeat his closest challenger, the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who scored 444,815 votes.

The African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam, came third with 17,180 votes.
Adeleke won 19 of Osun’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured victory in 11.

Following his victory, Adeleke disclosed that Tinubu had personally called to congratulate him, describing the President’s gesture as an indication of his commitment to democracy.

The governor also extended an olive branch to his major challenger, saying he expected Oyebamiji to call and congratulate him.

“Yes. This is no victor, no vanquished. I want them to come over. I am expecting Oyebamiji to even, as a civilised person, to call me and congratulate me,” Adeleke said.

He added that he was grateful to Tinubu for ensuring that democracy prevailed during the election.

The renewed endorsement is likely to attract political attention ahead of the 2027 presidential election, particularly given Adeleke’s position as an opposition-linked governor backing the incumbent President.

Adeleke’s declaration also adds a fresh dimension to the emerging political alignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.