Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State and the national leadership of the Accord Party have formally adopted President Bola Tinubu as their preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 election, a move that has stirred fresh political debate just weeks before the fiercely contested Osun governorship poll.
Decision was reached during a strategic meeting held on Saturday night in Osogbo, where Adeleke met with members of the party’s National Working Committee and state chairmen from across the country to review political developments and the future of the party.
Announcing the outcome on Sunday, Adeleke’s re-election campaign spokesman, Pelumi Olajengbesi, said party leaders unanimously endorsed Tinubu’s second-term ambition, arguing that continuity at the federal level would guarantee the completion of major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway.
Olajengbesi also disclosed that discussions centred on preparations for the August governorship election, with party leaders warning against “violence, intimidation, electoral manipulation and the use of security forces against members of the Accord Party” while urging all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and credible exercise.
While the endorsement projects an image of cooperation between Adeleke and President Tinubu at the presidential level, political observers note that it contrasts sharply with realities on the ground in Osun, where the All Progressives Congress has mounted an aggressive campaign to wrest control of the state from the incumbent governor.
Campaign activities have intensified across the state in recent weeks, with both major camps accusing each other of intimidation and political harassment.
Announcing the outcome on Sunday, Adeleke’s re-election campaign spokesman, Pelumi Olajengbesi, said party leaders unanimously endorsed Tinubu’s second-term ambition, arguing that continuity at the federal level would guarantee the completion of major infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Super Highway.
Olajengbesi also disclosed that discussions centred on preparations for the August governorship election, with party leaders warning against “violence, intimidation, electoral manipulation and the use of security forces against members of the Accord Party” while urging all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful and credible exercise.
While the endorsement projects an image of cooperation between Adeleke and President Tinubu at the presidential level, political observers note that it contrasts sharply with realities on the ground in Osun, where the All Progressives Congress has mounted an aggressive campaign to wrest control of the state from the incumbent governor.
Campaign activities have intensified across the state in recent weeks, with both major camps accusing each other of intimidation and political harassment.
Security concerns have equally dominated public discourse following reports of attacks on party supporters, violent clashes in some communities and growing fears that political rivalry could escalate as election day approaches.
APC has repeatedly declared that reclaiming Osun remains one of its highest political priorities, unveiling a formidable National Campaign Council led by Governor Hope Uzodimma and deploying several prominent party leaders to bolster its governorship push.
Adeleke, on the other hand, has continued to insist that his endorsement of Tinubu is rooted in development rather than partisan politics, maintaining that sustaining cooperation with the Federal Government would benefit Osun through ongoing federal projects.
Interestingly, the latest endorsement also comes against the backdrop of earlier disagreements within the Accord Party over its presidential direction.
APC has repeatedly declared that reclaiming Osun remains one of its highest political priorities, unveiling a formidable National Campaign Council led by Governor Hope Uzodimma and deploying several prominent party leaders to bolster its governorship push.
Adeleke, on the other hand, has continued to insist that his endorsement of Tinubu is rooted in development rather than partisan politics, maintaining that sustaining cooperation with the Federal Government would benefit Osun through ongoing federal projects.
Interestingly, the latest endorsement also comes against the backdrop of earlier disagreements within the Accord Party over its presidential direction.
While some party figures had previously questioned Adeleke’s public support for Tinubu, the national leadership has now publicly aligned with the governor’s position, signalling a significant shift in the party’s national posture.
As political campaigns enter their final stretch, attention is expected to remain fixed on whether the rare alliance between Adeleke and Tinubu at the presidential level will have any meaningful impact on a governorship contest already defined by intense rivalry, heightened security concerns and a determined APC campaign seeking to end Adeleke’s hold on Osun Government House.
As political campaigns enter their final stretch, attention is expected to remain fixed on whether the rare alliance between Adeleke and Tinubu at the presidential level will have any meaningful impact on a governorship contest already defined by intense rivalry, heightened security concerns and a determined APC campaign seeking to end Adeleke’s hold on Osun Government House.
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