Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun State, has dismissed reports of a political agreement with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to share legislative and local government positions ahead of the 2027 general election.
Gatekeepers News reports that Adeleke said his political understanding with the APC was limited to supporting President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, stressing that candidates of different parties would compete for other elective positions.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Olawale Rasheed, his spokesperson, the governor described social media reports alleging that he had reached an agreement with the presidency to share political positions with the APC as “mere fabrication and fake news”.
The reports had claimed that local government positions, as well as seats in the Senate, House of Representatives and Osun State House of Assembly, had been distributed between the Accord and APC ahead of the elections.
Adeleke, who is a member of Tinubu’s presidential campaign council, clarified that ongoing discussions to resolve the local government crisis in Osun were aimed at protecting the interests of all parties involved.
“As the governor of all Osun indigenes and residents, we are working to resolve the local government matter by ensuring that all interests are protected and cared for,” the statement read.
The governor expressed confidence that the crisis would be resolved before the end of the year, noting that restoring grassroots governance was essential to ensuring a successful campaign ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reaffirming his support for Tinubu’s second-term ambition, Adeleke said the coalition arrangement did not extend to legislative elections.
“As I said while inaugurating the presidential campaign council, the coalition is targeted at the presidential election. Partners agreed to join hands to ensure our dear president is re-elected. All other legislative positions are open for competition,” he said.
He further declared his intention to campaign for Accord candidates seeking seats in the National Assembly and the state legislature.
“I urge all political parties to campaign for their candidates as I will do for Accord candidates. We have no deal on the National Assembly and the State Assembly elections. All our candidates will face the electorate, who have the final say,” he added.
The clarification comes days after Adeleke inaugurated a 344-member campaign council to coordinate Tinubu’s re-election campaign in Osun State.
The inauguration, held on October 22, was notable for the absence of some prominent APC leaders in the state.
However, former Osun governor Bisi Akande attended the event alongside other APC chieftains, including Ajibola Basiru, the party’s national secretary, and Iyiola Omisore, a former national secretary.
