The campaign team of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has dismissed suggestions that the governor entered into a political agreement with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in connection with the 2027 presidential election.
The clarification followed a statement by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, after Adeleke renewed his support for Tinubu’s bid for a second term.
Keyamo, in a post on X on Sunday, thanked Adeleke for what he described as his “public and unequivocal endorsement” of Tinubu, adding, “Agreement is agreement.”
The remark triggered speculation that the governor’s support for Tinubu may have been based on a political understanding between both sides.
However, Adeleke’s campaign team rejected the suggestion, insisting that there was no agreement behind the governor’s endorsement.
“Do not undermine the resilience of Osun people. There is no agreement,” the team said.
It explained that Adeleke’s support for Tinubu was based on the President’s performance and reforms, particularly measures it said had strengthened the economic position of states.
“Our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is based on his performance and reforms that have strengthened states economically,” the team said.
The campaign team also stressed that Adeleke’s victory in the Osun governorship election was secured through the votes of the people.
“Osun people voted @AAdeleke_01. President Tinubu simply ensured democratic rules were respected,” it added.
Adeleke has consistently expressed support for Tinubu’s 2027 presidential ambition despite their political differences.
In March, the governor reaffirmed his endorsement of Tinubu, describing him as a leader of the South-West and arguing that his support was in the interest of the region.
He also maintained during his re-election campaign that his backing of the President was based on Tinubu’s policies and development initiatives.
Adeleke had previously been associated with the Peoples Democratic Party before contesting the 2026 governorship election on the platform of the Accord Party, while Tinubu remains the leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress.
Before the election, there was speculation about a possible move by Adeleke to the APC and his relationship with the President. The possibility reportedly generated opposition among some APC members in Osun, who argued that Adeleke should not automatically receive the party’s governorship ticket should he defect.
Despite the political differences, Adeleke continued to support Tinubu’s 2027 presidential bid and also praised the Federal Government for projects and interventions in Osun, including road infrastructure.
After being declared winner of the governorship election, Adeleke thanked Tinubu for what he described as the President’s role in ensuring a free and fair electoral process and again endorsed his 2027 presidential ambition.
Adeleke was declared winner after securing 511,067 votes against APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji’s 444,815 votes. He won in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.
Keyamo’s “agreement is agreement” comment came in response to Adeleke’s endorsement.
However, neither Keyamo nor the Federal Government has publicly disclosed the details of any agreement between Tinubu and Adeleke.
There is also no publicly established evidence that Adeleke’s endorsement was exchanged for electoral support, federal intervention or any political concession.
The controversy therefore appears to stem from the interpretation of Keyamo’s remark rather than any publicly confirmed political pact.
Adeleke’s campaign team maintained that the governor’s support for Tinubu was voluntary and based on his assessment of the administration’s performance, insisting that his electoral victory belonged to the people of Osun and should not be attributed to any alleged agreement with the Federal Government.
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