Osun poll: Adeleke’s camp replies Keyamo, says no political deal with Tinubu

The Imole Campaign Council of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has denied any political agreement behind the governor’s support for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid.

The council said Adeleke’s support for Tinubu was based on the President’s performance and reforms, rather than a pre-arranged political deal.

The council’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, said this in a post on his X handle on Sunday.

He was reacting to a post by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who, while congratulating Adeleke on his re-election, said, “Agreement is agreement.”

Keyamo wrote, “Thank you, Governor Ademola Adeleke, for the public and unequivocal endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT for the 2027 Presidential Election. You are a man of integrity and honour. ‘Agreement is agreement.’”

The statement has drawn mixed reactions online, with some interpreting it as evidence of a private pact between the governor and the President.

Quoting Keyamo’s post on X, Olajengbesi said the comment should not undermine the choice made by Osun voters in the August 15 governorship election.

“Do not undermine the resilience of Osun people. There is no agreement,” he said.

He added, “Our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, @officialABAT, is based on his performance and reforms that have strengthened states economically.”

Olajengbesi said Adeleke’s victory was a product of the voters’ decision and maintained that Tinubu only ensured that the democratic process was respected.

“Osun people voted @AAdeleke_01. President Tinubu simply ensured democratic rules were respected,” he said.

The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke, the Accord Party candidate, the winner of the election after he polled 511,067 votes to defeat his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, who scored 444,815 votes.

Adeleke, who secured a second term, had earlier reaffirmed his endorsement of Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 presidential election, describing the President as a son of Osun State.

Keyamo’s comment followed Adeleke’s endorsement, with the minister describing the governor as a “man of integrity and honour” and referring to an “agreement” between the two politicians. (Punch)