Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and the leadership of the state's Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have openly endorsed President Bola Tinubu's bid for re-election in the 2027 presidential race.
This announcement follows widespread speculation about Governor Adeleke's alleged plan to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), a move that reportedly faced stiff resistance from APC stakeholders in Osun.
The endorsement was confirmed during a PDP stakeholders' meeting held on Monday at the Government House, Oke-Fia, Osogbo.
A communiqué issued after the meeting bore the signatures of Governor Adeleke, Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, Speaker of the House of Assembly Adewale Egbedun, former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and 24 other influential party figures.
According to the communiqué, grassroots sentiments and local political realities significantly shaped the party's decision. It also emphasized that the defection rumors did not originate from Adeleke himself and faced strong backlash from APC members, who had criticized him both online and in public discourse.
The statement added that although some PDP members initially felt uneasy about the rumored crossover, they resolved to remain loyal to the governor.
Party leaders reaffirmed that Governor Adeleke, his administration, and the PDP remain the leading political authority in Osun State, enjoying widespread popularity and acceptance.
"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."
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