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The Imole Campaign Council of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has dismissed claims that the governor's endorsement of President Bola Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid was the result of a political agreement.
The council insisted that Adeleke's support for the President was based solely on his assessment of Tinubu's economic reforms and governance, and not on any private arrangement.
The clarification followed remarks by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, who congratulated Adeleke after his victory in the Osun governorship election.
In a post on his verified X account, Keyamo wrote: “Thank you, Governor Ademola Adeleke, for the public and unequivocal endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 Presidential Election. You are a man of integrity and honour. Agreement is agreement.”
The comment sparked widespread reactions on social media, with many suggesting that Adeleke's endorsement of Tinubu was linked to a political pact.
Reacting in a post on X on Sunday, the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, rejected the insinuation, describing it as unfounded.
He maintained that there was no political agreement between Governor Adeleke and President Tinubu.
"Do not undermine the resilience of Osun people. There is no agreement," Olajengbesi stated.
According to him, the governor's support for Tinubu was driven by the administration's economic reforms, which he said had strengthened the finances of states across the country.
"Our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is based on his performance and reforms that have strengthened states economically," he added.
Olajengbesi further stressed that Adeleke's re-election was a product of the votes freely cast by the people of Osun State.
He also commended President Tinubu for ensuring a peaceful and credible electoral process, saying his role was to safeguard democracy rather than influence the outcome.
"Osun people voted for Ademola Adeleke. President Tinubu simply ensured democratic rules were respected," he said.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday declared Adeleke, the Accord Party candidate, winner of the Osun State governorship election.
The Returning Officer for the election and Vice-Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Prof. Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, announced that Adeleke polled 511,067 votes to defeat the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who secured 444,815 votes.
Prof. Ogunwole declared that Adeleke had satisfied the constitutional requirements and was therefore duly returned elected as Governor of Osun State.
