The Imole Campaign Council has dismissed claims that Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid was tied to a political agreement, insisting the governor’s position was based solely on the president’s performance in office.
The clarification came on Sunday after the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, suggested that Adeleke’s public backing of Tinubu reflected an existing understanding between the two political figures.
Reacting to the minister’s remarks, the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, said there was no secret pact behind the governor’s endorsement and urged the public not to misinterpret recent political developments in Osun State.
In a post on his X handle, Olajengbesi directly responded to Keyamo’s statement, declaring, “Do not undermine the resilience of Osun people. There is no agreement.”
He maintained that Adeleke’s support for President Tinubu was driven by the administration’s economic policies and reforms, which he said had strengthened the financial position of states across the country.
“Our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, @officialABAT, is based on his performance and reforms that have strengthened states economically,” Olajengbesi stated.
The campaign spokesperson further argued that the outcome of the August 15 governorship election reflected the will of the electorate, stressing that Tinubu’s role was limited to ensuring that democratic principles were upheld throughout the electoral process.
“Osun people voted @AAdeleke_01. President Tinubu simply ensured democratic rules were respected,” he added.
The controversy followed a congratulatory message posted by Keyamo after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) declared Adeleke the winner of the Osun governorship election.
In his message, the minister praised the governor for publicly endorsing Tinubu’s second-term ambition and hinted at a prior understanding between them.
“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,’” Keyamo wrote.
His comments quickly generated mixed reactions on social media, with some users interpreting the statement as confirmation of a private political arrangement between the president and the Osun governor.
However, the Imole Campaign Council insisted that no such agreement existed, arguing that suggestions to the contrary diminish the significance of the mandate freely given to Adeleke by Osun voters.
INEC declared Adeleke, who contested on the platform of the Accord Party, winner of the governorship election after polling 511,067 votes. He defeated his closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, who secured 444,815 votes.
The victory secured Adeleke a second term in office.
Earlier on Sunday, the governor reaffirmed his support for Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, describing the president as a proud son of Osun State and commending him for ensuring a peaceful and credible electoral process during the governorship poll.
The endorsement has continued to generate political debate, with the Imole Campaign Council insisting that it should be viewed as recognition of Tinubu’s governance record rather than evidence of any political bargain.
