By Festus Damilare Ukolo | Fact Frontier.
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Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has formally endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term. Governor Adeleke, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, said the decision was reached by his administration and political associates. He described the move as one made for the benefit of Osun State and the Yoruba people worldwide.
The announcement came through an official statement on Monday signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed. It represents a notable instance of cross-party support for President Tinubu from a sitting PDP governor in the South-West region.
In the statement, Governor Adeleke explained that the endorsement was not based on partisan politics. He called it a moral and development-focused action that goes beyond party boundaries. “After wide consultations with my political family, we have decided to support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s second-term bid. This decision was taken in the best interest of Osun and the Yoruba people globally,” the statement read.
The governor pointed to federal projects and programmes in Osun State as the main reason for his position. He noted progress in road infrastructure, mentioning the dualisation of the Akure–Ilesa highway and the rehabilitation of the Ibadan–Ife–Ilesa expressway, which passes through major towns in the state. He also referred to federal support for the Osun State University Teaching Hospital and increased funding for agricultural programmes and the school feeding initiative that reaches rural areas in Osun.
“President Tinubu has shown genuine commitment to addressing our infrastructure needs and listening to our people. When a leader extends such a hand of partnership to our state, it is right to respond in the interest of our citizens,” Governor Adeleke stated.
The endorsement has caused division within the opposition. The Osun State chapter of the PDP has distanced itself from the governor’s position. A group of party elders, under the name Osun PDP Democratic Front, called the decision a personal one that does not reflect the party’s views. In a counter statement, the group said Governor Adeleke does not speak for all PDP members in Osun. They described the endorsement as a disappointment to party supporters who have worked to build the PDP in the state. Similar reactions came from some PDP youth groups at the national level, raising concerns about a possible split within the state chapter.
Meanwhile, the All Progressives Congress in Osun State welcomed the endorsement. The state APC chairman called it a mark of good leadership and a sign that President Tinubu’s approach to governance is bridging political divides. A presidential aide, who did not want to be named, said the support proves that solid performance is more important than party membership.
Political observers believe this move is a strategic realignment as the 2027 elections draw near. Governor Adeleke, whose late brother Isiaka Adeleke was a key figure in the APC, has maintained a balancing act between PDP loyalty and regional politics in the South-West. The governor’s statement made it clear that the endorsement does not mean he is leaving the PDP. However, many analysts see the gesture as a possible step toward a broader coalition ahead of the next presidential vote. His reference to the Yoruba people’s collective interest carries a regional message that often resonates in South-West political calculations.
For President Tinubu, receiving public backing from a PDP governor in the South-West strengthens his re-election message of regional unity. It may also encourage other opposition figures in the area to reconsider their positions.
As discussions around the endorsement continue, the relationship between Governor Adeleke and President Tinubu is expected to remain a key topic in Nigerian politics. The development shows how regional interest can shape decisions that cross party lines, and it sets the stage for a dynamic political season leading up to 2027.
