Nigeria: Tinubu 2027 - Will Adeleke Stand By His Promise of Support?
[This Day] Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has repeatedly promised something unusual for an opposition governor: his support for President Bola Tinubu's re-election bid in 2027. The commitment has held steady through political crises and a governorship election of his own.
Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has consistently pledged his backing for President Bola Tinubu's re-election prospects in 2027, a stance that has remained unchanged despite political turbulence and his own successful governorship re-election in August 2026. Adeleke, who previously campaigned against Tinubu under the PDP banner in 2023, describes the President as a "son of Osun," firmly tied to the Yoruba leader's political future.
The alliance is built on regional solidarity, with Adeleke arguing that the South-west should unite behind Tinubu, a Yoruba president, to maximize the region's political influence. He also suggests practical benefits, such as increased federal allocations to states and the completion of infrastructure projects like the Ibadan-Ile-Ife-Ilesa Expressway.
However, critics question the sincerity of Adeleke's pledge, viewing it as opportunistic rather than principled. Some argue that an opposition governor's support for a ruling-party candidate undermines the checks and balances essential to a functioning democratic system. Osun elders and grassroots stakeholders caution that a governor's primary loyalty should be to the voters who elected him, not the presidency he once contested.
For now, Adeleke's endorsement remains a statement without a corresponding campaign, and its impact on Osun's electorate and the 2027 presidential race remains to be seen.
Written by urgent.news from AllAfrica's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
