In a major political twist, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, and the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state have formally declared their support for the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential race.
The endorsement was contained in a communiqué issued at the end of a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held at the Government House in Osogbo. The statement, made available to journalists on Tuesday by Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, also addressed recent speculations about Adeleke’s political future and rumours of defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Why Adeleke Is Staying in the PDP
The meeting clarified that Governor Adeleke’s decision to remain in the PDP was influenced by what it described as “the unfriendly posture” of certain APC leaders who publicly rejected the idea of his potential defection. According to the communiqué, several APC members had openly criticized the governor on national television and social media platforms, despite the fact that the defection was never confirmed or finalized.
These public attacks reportedly strengthened the resolve of Adeleke and PDP leaders to consolidate their base and reaffirm commitment to the party.
Tinubu Endorsed as ‘A Son of the Soil’
One of the most striking elements of the communiqué was the PDP’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu, who hails from Osun State, describing him as “a son of the soil.” The party noted that Tinubu’s ancestral ties to the state formed the basis for its support, regardless of partisan lines.
“The PDP in Osun State recognizes the fact that Osun State is the ancestral home of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which makes the President a son of Osun State,” the document reads.
“Therefore, the PDP in Osun State hereby adopts and endorses President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in the 2027 presidential election.”
PDP Backs Adeleke for 2026 Governorship Race
In a show of internal party unity, the stakeholders also unanimously endorsed Governor Adeleke to seek a second term in office during the 2026 Osun governorship election. The meeting commended the governor’s performance, particularly in implementing his administration’s Five-Point Development Agenda, and resolved to rally behind him for re-election on the PDP platform.
Signatories to the communiqué include Governor Adeleke, former governor Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, PDP State Chairman Sunday Bisi, Senator Lere Oyewumi, and 24 other influential party leaders and stakeholders across the state.
Call to Action for Party Members
The PDP leadership in Osun has also directed all its party structures—from wards to local government areas—to disseminate the resolutions of the meeting and align fully with the new direction. Governor Adeleke was urged to remain focused on delivering governance and to continue the implementation of his developmental agenda without distraction.
“The state governor is enjoined to forge ahead with governance and implementation of the administration’s Five-Point Agenda,” the communiqué stated.
Political Implications
This endorsement of a sitting APC president by a PDP-led state government marks a rare political development and could potentially influence wider alliances ahead of the 2027 general elections. Observers say it reflects the increasingly fluid nature of Nigerian politics, where local loyalties and strategic alignments may outweigh party differences.
With this move, Governor Adeleke appears to have solidified his control over the Osun PDP while signaling openness to broader national collaborations—setting the stage for an interesting political build-up to both the 2026 and 2027 elections.
