Adeleke Under Fire After Declaring Support for Tinubu’s 2027 Re-election

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has come under criticism from some supporters after reaffirming his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s bid for a second term in 2027.

The governor’s position has triggered reactions among some of his supporters, particularly those who backed him and opposed the All Progressives Congress (APC) during the 2026 Osun governorship election.

Adeleke has repeatedly maintained that he will support Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election despite remaining outside the APC.

The governor had earlier endorsed Tinubu while still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The Osun PDP caucus also adopted Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election while backing Adeleke for another term as governor.

Adeleke later moved to the Accord Party amid the crisis within the PDP and continued to maintain his support for the President.

In March 2026, he again dismissed suggestions that the political disagreement between his administration and the Federal Government over the Osun local government crisis would affect his position on Tinubu.

“We have no problem with President Tinubu. He is our leader. He represents the South West. I restate our endorsement of Mr President for re-election in the best interest of the South West,” Adeleke said.

The governor has also described Tinubu as a leader whose support could benefit Osun State.

In another statement in May, Adeleke described the President as “our own son, father and leader” while explaining his decision to back the President.

“As governor of the ancestral birthplace of Mr President, how can I have my own in the saddle and think twice before embracing him?” Adeleke said.

However, the latest declaration has not been well received by some people who identify with Adeleke’s political camp.

Some supporters took to social media to express disappointment. They questioned why the governor would support Tinubu after the political battles that preceded his re-election bid in Osun.

One X user, Dr Kenon, wrote: “I thought this man had sense. What is this for God’s sake? Governor Ademola said he’s supporting Tinubu because he’s a Yoruba man.

“That’s very embarrassing & I am so disappointed. He just disgraced all the people that stood for him during the election”.

Another user, Lola Okunrin, also criticised the governor over the endorsement.

“Osun People stood against Tinubu and his APC team. 28 died and this is how you pay them back. Fuck you Adeleke,” she wrote.

A different user, Abu Amir, questioned the basis of Adeleke’s support for the President.

“Adeleke’s “support isn’t based on competence, good governance, or the nation’s development, but based on tribalism.

“And this is the same man you people were standing with?”

Another critic, Ayemojubar, referred to the long-running political disagreement between Adeleke’s administration and former Osun governor and current minister, Gboyega Oyetola.

“A Yoruba man who froze the state’s account without your consent and nearly upturned your administration simply because you refused to join his party?

“Well, you can go ahead and support Tinubu, but the people of Osun are clearly not with you on this,” the user wrote.

FarmerCrypt also criticised the governor, arguing that an endorsement from Adeleke would not necessarily translate into support from voters.

“Davido’s uncle, Ademola Adeleke sat in an interview and claimed he would support Tinubu. We all heard it. But we also know Osun. We know the hardship. We know what this administration has done to the ordinary people in that state and across the country,” the user wrote.

The reactions underline the difficult political balance surrounding Adeleke’s relationship with Tinubu.

Adeleke has maintained that his support for the President does not mean he has abandoned his political identity or the interests of Osun State.

His camp has also repeatedly pointed to areas of cooperation between the state and the Federal Government.

The governor has previously praised Tinubu over federal projects affecting Osun, including the reconstruction of the Ibadan-Ilesa road.

He has also separated his disagreement with some APC figures in Osun from his relationship with the President.

In March, Adeleke specifically blamed former governor Oyetola for the local government crisis in the state while insisting that Tinubu was not responsible for the dispute.

“Our problem is with Minister Oyetola who has not gotten over his loss of 2022. We hold Mr. Oyetola accountable for the local government crisis rather than the President. Osun people also hold the same view,” Adeleke said.