Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has reaffirmed his support for President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term in the 2027 presidential election.
Adeleke made the declaration on Sunday, August 16, shortly after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced him as the winner of the Osun governorship election.
Speaking at a press conference, the governor praised Tinubu for what he described as his commitment to ensuring a free and fair election in the state. He also described the president as a son of Osun State.
“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.
“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,” Adeleke said.
The governor had earlier endorsed Tinubu despite his political affiliation with the opposition before contesting the 2026 election under the Accord Party.
Adeleke was declared the winner at about 7:24 am by the State Returning Officer, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole, after securing 511,067 votes.
His closest challenger, APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, polled 444,815 votes, while ADC candidate Najeem Salaam finished third with 17,180 votes.
The result showed Adeleke winning 19 of Osun’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured 11.
The victory gives Adeleke another four years in office after his initial election as governor in 2022 under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Earlier, Adeleke disclosed that Tinubu had personally called to congratulate him on his victory. He also urged Oyebamiji to accept the outcome and congratulate him.
“Yes. This is no victor, no vanquished. I want them to come over. I am expecting Oyebamiji to even, as a civilised person, to call me and congratulate me,” he said.
The governor also thanked Tinubu for his role in the election, saying:
“Mr. President has called me and he has congratulated me. And I thank you, Mr. President, for making sure democracy lives on, because you fought for it, Mr. President.”
