Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has renewed his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid to secure a second term in the 2027 presidential election.
Adeleke made the declaration on Sunday while delivering his victory speech after being declared the winner of the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
The Governor, who had previously endorsed Tinubu for another term, used the occasion to praise the President for what he described as his commitment to ensuring a credible and peaceful electoral process in Osun.
According to Adeleke, Tinubu’s alleged support for a free and fair election contributed to creating an environment in which the people of Osun could freely exercise their franchise.
“At this point, I must deeply appreciate Mr. President, His Excellency, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his strong support for a free and fair election,” the Governor said.
Adeleke subsequently renewed his endorsement of the President, describing Tinubu as a “son of Osun State” and expressing confidence in his continued leadership of the country.
“Mr. President is a son of Osun State and I hereby reaffirm my earlier endorsement of him for a second term in the 2027 presidential election,” he stated.
The latest declaration further reinforces Adeleke’s position on Tinubu’s 2027 ambition, which the Osun Governor had publicly expressed before the governorship election.
In March 2026, Adeleke had reaffirmed his backing for Tinubu while addressing members of his cabinet, special advisers and other senior Government officials in Osogbo.
At the time, he said political disagreements between the federal and state governments had not changed his position on the President.
Adeleke described Tinubu as his leader and said his support for the President was based partly on regional considerations.
“We have no problem with President Tinubu. He is our leader,” Adeleke had said, adding that the President represented the South-West and that his endorsement was made in what he considered the best interest of the region.
The Governor’s latest statement came shortly after he successfully defended his seat in the Osun governorship election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke the winner of the poll after he secured 511,067 votes, defeating the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes.
The African Democratic Congress candidate, Najeem Salaam, finished third with 17,180 votes.
Adeleke’s victory means he will continue as Governor of Osun State for another term after defeating the APC candidate in a closely watched contest.
His victory speech also provided an opportunity for him to acknowledge the role of various stakeholders and appreciate President Tinubu for the conduct of the election.
The Governor’s renewed support for Tinubu is politically significant because Adeleke remains associated with the opposition political camp while Tinubu is seeking another term on the platform of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Despite the difference in party affiliation, Adeleke has maintained that his support for Tinubu is not necessarily dependent on partisan politics.
Earlier in the year, he had also linked his position to federal projects in Osun State, particularly ongoing road construction and rehabilitation projects being undertaken by the Federal Government.
Adeleke had expressed satisfaction with the progress of the Ibadan-Ile Ife-Ilesa Expressway and said the project would improve connectivity between major communities in Osun and neighbouring states.
He also acknowledged federal approval for the reconstruction of the Ibadan-Iwo Road-Osogbo and Gbongan-Akoda roads, while appealing for additional attention to other important routes in the State.
The Governor had previously said Tinubu’s position on credible elections was another reason for his confidence in the President.
Ahead of the Osun governorship poll, Adeleke repeatedly called for a level playing field and expressed confidence that the President would not interfere with the electoral process.
In one of his earlier statements, the Governor said he believed Tinubu would allow the people of Osun to determine their Governor through the ballot.
The Osun State Government had also publicly commended the President and the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for interventions aimed at preventing political violence ahead of the election.
During a meeting with the Inspector-General of Police, Adeleke had stressed the importance of impartial policing and a peaceful atmosphere for voters. He also acknowledged what he described as the intervention of Tinubu in preventing the State from descending into political violence.
Adeleke’s position on Tinubu has therefore remained consistent despite the political tensions that have characterised relations between the Federal Government and opposition-controlled states.
The Governor’s endorsement also reflects a broader political calculation in the South-West, where Tinubu has continued to enjoy support from several political figures outside the APC.
For Adeleke, the relationship with the President has increasingly been framed around cooperation, federal projects, regional interests and the conduct of democratic elections rather than party affiliation alone.
His latest endorsement comes at a time when political activities ahead of the 2027 presidential election are gradually intensifying across Nigeria.
With the 2027 contest expected to attract major political realignments, Adeleke’s continued backing of Tinubu could attract considerable attention, particularly because of his position as Governor of Osun, a State controlled by the opposition.
The Governor’s declaration also comes after his own successful re-election campaign, giving the statement additional political weight.
By publicly renewing his endorsement immediately after securing another term in office, Adeleke has once again made clear that his support for Tinubu’s 2027 ambition remains unchanged.
For now, the Osun Governor appears set to focus on his second-term administration while maintaining the political relationship he has built with the President.
His latest remarks further establish that, despite belonging to different political camps, Adeleke intends to continue backing Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election.
The development is likely to remain a major talking point as political parties, governors and other influential actors begin positioning themselves ahead of the next presidential contest.