Osogbo, Nigeria
In a move that has set the political arena alight, Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, along with the Osun chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), officially endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in the 2027 presidential elections.
The endorsement was confirmed in a statement posted to Adeleke’s official X account on July 22, following a leadership caucus meeting held in Osogbo. The governor emphasised the decision was rooted in consultations with “traditional rulers, civil servants, market leaders and grassroots party members.” He stated:
“Our party in Osun has also endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re‑election in 2027, recognising him as a proud son of our state.”
This backing comes on the heels of months of speculation regarding a potential defection by Adeleke to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Earlier this year, Adeleke, his brother Adedeji Adeleke, and renowned musician Davido were seen visiting President Tinubu at his Lagos residence on June 3 — stoking rumours of an upcoming party switch. In response to such speculation, Adeleke issued a statement on July 5 reaffirming his loyalty to the PDP and his commitment to his “Five‑Point Agenda” for Osun.
The joint communique was later reinforced by PDP stalwarts such as former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Speaker Adewale Egbedun, Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, and 24 other party leaders during the July 21 meeting. They cited Tinubu’s ancestral ties to Osun State as a key reason for their support.
Public Reactions Flood Social Media
The announcement prompted a flurry of reactions online, revealing a deeply divided public mood. Some users responded with humour or cynicism:
@DbPragmatic:
“Congratulations to Governor Adeleke who just passed medical and manual assessment to join APC.”
@Jagabaniyiola1:
“I hope Tinubu will now go ahead to finally release the local government allocations as ruled by the courts. Endorsements through coercion and inducements is not something to celebrate.”
Others questioned the strategic sense behind the move:
@_rvm_1:
“Unfortunately, I don’t think this is a good move for him. APC would have been a better option. There’s an ADC faction loyal to Aregbesola that will eat into his votes.”
Some, however, offered measured or optimistic perspectives:
@diamonddemola:
“He won’t endorse ke! His elder brother just built a big power plant that needs to be connected to the grid and all thanks to BAT policies.”
@GoodiesOfada:
“The endorsement from Osun State PDP and @AAdeleke_01 increases Tinubu's chances of re‑election from 17.5% to 19.2%. Hope rising.”
Political Implications & Stakeholder Perspectives
The endorsement reflects a broader trend of cross-party alliances in Nigerian politics. Tinubu, already backed by his party, the APC, formally received its nod for a second term in May.
However, not everyone views this alliance in good light. Dr. Yemi Farounbi, a former Nigerian ambassador to the Philippines, warned that Adeleke may be jeopardising his political future if there's no binding arrangement underpinning the endorsement. Farounbi cautioned, “This open betrayal of whoever becomes the PDP presidential candidate may work against the governor, unless he really has a sealed deal with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Otherwise it could be a leap in the dark.”
What’s Next?
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For Adeleke, the move positions him as a potential kingmaker ahead of both the 2026 gubernatorial and 2027 presidential contests.
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Within the PDP, this may stoke internal tension, raising questions about loyalty and party coherence.
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For Tinubu, the endorsement could bolster his Southern legitimacy and strengthen his electoral base in a critical region.
As Nigeria moves toward 2027, the fluidity of political alliances underscores a dynamic landscape where ideology often yields to strategy.
