The political climate in Osun State heated up on Tuesday as Governor Ademola Adeleke, alongside former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and other top Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leaders, publicly endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid—while also affirming their commitment to remain in the PDP.
This endorsement was contained in a communiqué issued after a high-level PDP stakeholders’ meeting held in Osogbo. The meeting also put an end to weeks of speculation that Governor Adeleke was planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tinubu Gets Osun PDP Backing
The communiqué described Tinubu as a “son of Osun,” and declared full support for his re-election:
The PDP in Osun State hereby adopts and endorses President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in the 2027 presidential election.
This unusual cross-party endorsement drew strong reactions, especially from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which accused Adeleke of playing both sides and predicted his defeat in the 2026 governorship race.
Adeleke Stays in PDP, Gets Endorsement
The party also used the occasion to back Governor Adeleke as its sole candidate for the 2026 Osun governorship election:
The PDP in Osun State reaffirms its adoption and endorsement of Governor Ademola Adeleke for re-election in the 2026 governorship election on the platform of the PDP, the statement read.
Present at the meeting were key PDP figures including ex-Governor Oyinlola, Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, Senator Lere Oyewumi (Osun East), Osun PDP Chairman Sunday Bisi, and former PDP National Secretary, Prof. Wale Oladipo.
ADC Fires Back
Reacting to the development, Osun ADC Chairman Charles Omidiji said Adeleke’s decision to support Tinubu while staying in PDP would not save him at the polls:
If he doesn’t join the APC, it will only reduce the margin of the loss awaiting him. Had he defected, that would’ve been the end of both the APC and PDP in Osun. Whatever happens, ADC will produce the next Osun governor.
Omidiji also claimed the ADC, now counting ex-Governor Rauf Aregbesola as its Interim National Secretary, was gaining strength and poised to take power in the state.
Why Adeleke Didn’t Join APC
The communiqué also explained why Governor Adeleke decided against joining the APC, despite months of speculation:
Most APC members in Osun rejected the idea of Adeleke joining their party. Some openly attacked him on social media and television. Meanwhile, PDP members in Osun expressed unhappiness about the defection talks but were ready to follow Adeleke anywhere out of loyalty.
In the end, Adeleke chose to stay put—and so did his loyal base within the PDP.