The political atmosphere in Osun State took a dramatic turn on Tuesday as Governor Ademola Adeleke, alongside former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and other prominent members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), openly endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027. The endorsement came despite Adeleke’s decision to remain in the PDP, putting to rest months of speculation about a potential defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The declaration was made in a communiqué released after a closed-door PDP stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo. In attendance were top party figures, including the Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi; Senator Lere Oyewumi; Osun PDP Chairman, Sunday Bisi; and former PDP National Secretary, Professor Wale Oladipo. The stakeholders cited Tinubu’s Osun State origin as a basis for their endorsement, describing him as a “son of the soil” deserving of continued support.
According to the communiqué, “The PDP in Osun State hereby adopts and endorses President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in the 2027 presidential election.” The meeting also reaffirmed Governor Adeleke as the party’s sole governorship candidate for the 2026 election, signaling internal unity around his second-term bid.
The move, however, triggered strong reactions from opposition parties, particularly the African Democratic Congress (ADC). Osun ADC Chairman, Charles Omidiji, criticized Adeleke’s political strategy, accusing him of indecision and insisting that his endorsement of Tinubu would not protect him from defeat in the next election. “If he doesn’t join the APC, it will only reduce the margin of the loss awaiting him at the poll,” Omidiji stated. “If he had defected, that would have been the end of both the APC and PDP in Osun. But whatever happens, ADC will produce the next Osun governor.”
The communiqué also addressed the lingering rumors of Adeleke’s defection, revealing that both internal opposition within the APC and loyalty from PDP members influenced his decision to stay. It stated that some APC members had publicly criticized the governor, while many PDP loyalists expressed willingness to follow him anywhere out of allegiance to his leadership.
“Some APC leaders, based on entrenched interests, have demonstrated hostility and resentment towards Governor Ademola Adeleke,” the statement read. “Some went on social media and national television to call Governor Adeleke all kinds of unprintable names.”
The PDP in Osun has now directed all its structures to align with the resolution. Political analysts see this move as part of broader realignments shaping ahead of the 2027 elections, where party loyalty is increasingly tested by personal alliances and regional sentiment.
As the political dust settles, many observers are watching closely to see how this strategic endorsement will play out, both within the PDP and in the wider context of Osun State’s evolving political dynamics.
