Ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun State, a chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, has thrown his weight behind Governor Ademola Adeleke’s bid for a second term.
Momodu, a veteran journalist and publisher of Ovation Magazine, made his position known on Tuesday through a post on his verified X account, where he argued that Adeleke deserved to remain in office based on what he described as his performance across several sectors of the State.
The intervention came just days before Osun residents are scheduled to vote in a keenly contested governorship election involving the incumbent Governor and the All Progressives Congress candidate, Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.
Momodu also urged opposition political parties to work together in the interest of defeating the APC, arguing that the political situation in Osun required a coordinated approach.
According to him, the opposition should immediately unite behind Adeleke, who is contesting the election on the platform of the Accord Party.
He alleged that the APC had turned the State into what he described as a “theatre of war,” warning that allowing the opposition parties to divide their support could create an advantage for the ruling Party at the centre.
Momodu said his endorsement of Adeleke was not motivated by personal relationships or family considerations. Rather, he said his assessment was based on what he considered the Governor’s record in office.
“I make this declaration without equivocation, or any fear of contradiction,” Momodu stated, stressing that his position was based on Adeleke’s performance rather than friendship or family ties.
The former presidential aspirant went on to describe Adeleke as one of the strongest-performing governors in Nigeria.
He specifically cited infrastructure, healthcare, education, workers’ welfare, labour relations, agriculture, commerce, culture, women’s empowerment and youth inclusion among areas where he believed the Governor had made significant progress.
Momodu also made a broader political assessment of Adeleke’s popularity, describing the Osun Governor as a “global phenomenon” and claiming that he could defeat President Bola Tinubu in a popularity contest.
His comments add another prominent voice to the increasingly heated political debate surrounding the Osun governorship election, with both the Accord Party and APC intensifying their campaigns ahead of Saturday’s poll.
The August 15 election has generated considerable political interest because it pits Adeleke, who is seeking another term, against Oyebamiji, the APC candidate, amid a series of increasingly strong claims and counterclaims from the two major camps.
The APC has repeatedly expressed confidence that it can reclaim Osun State, while Adeleke’s camp has maintained that the Governor’s record in office will earn him another mandate.
The APC’s campaign leadership had earlier declared its intention to remove Adeleke from office on election day, with Party officials expressing confidence that Oyebamiji would emerge victorious.
Oyebamiji has also presented himself as the candidate capable of providing a new direction for the State. He has rejected claims that President Tinubu supports Adeleke and has maintained that he is the President’s preferred candidate for the Osun election.
On the other side, Adeleke and his campaign organisation have repeatedly defended the administration’s record while dismissing APC claims that the incumbent has failed in office.
The Governor’s campaign has pointed to projects and policies in areas including infrastructure, public-sector welfare, healthcare and financial management as evidence of its performance. His supporters have also argued that voters are likely to judge the administration based on what they have experienced during Adeleke’s tenure.
The Governor has also expressed confidence that the election will be determined by the votes of Osun residents. In July, he rejected suggestions that the August 15 poll could be manipulated, insisting that the electorate would protect its votes and determine who governs the State.
The election has consequently become a major political contest, with both camps seeking to mobilise voters across Osun’s 30 local government areas.
Adeleke’s supporters have continued to highlight endorsements from different groups within the State. In April, traditional security outfits and ethnic associations publicly declared support for his re-election, citing his performance and projects across the State.
The Governor’s camp has also accused the APC of attempting to disenfranchise voters, allegations the opposition Party has rejected. The dispute has contributed to the tense political atmosphere ahead of the election.
Momodu’s latest intervention therefore comes at a politically significant moment, with only a few days remaining before voters decide whether Adeleke will continue in office or whether the APC will return to power in Osun.
In his message, Momodu warned against giving the APC what he considered an opportunity to manipulate the electoral process. He called on opposition forces to close ranks and support the incumbent Governor.
His appeal was also framed as a warning against political division, as several parties and candidates are seeking support from the same electorate ahead of Saturday’s vote.
For Momodu, the decision should be based largely on Adeleke’s record in Government. He argued that the Governor’s performance in infrastructure, education, healthcare, agriculture, commerce, labour relations and social development justified another term.
The endorsement is likely to further intensify the political conversation around the election, particularly as prominent individuals and political groups continue to take positions on the two leading contenders.
With the August 15 election approaching, the focus is now shifting increasingly towards voter turnout, mobilisation, the credibility of the electoral process and whether Adeleke can convert the support being expressed by his backers into votes.
Ultimately, Osun voters will have the final say when they head to the polls on Saturday to choose between the competing candidates and determine who will govern the State for the next term.