Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has come under criticism from some supporters and political commentators after declaring his support for President Bola Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Adeleke, who was declared the winner of Saturday’s keenly contested Osun governorship election, made his position known during an interview with Channels Television on Sunday.
The governor reportedly anchored his support for Tinubu partly on their shared Yoruba identity, a position that has triggered a wave of reactions, particularly among some members of his political base.
The development has generated debate over whether Adeleke’s endorsement reflects personal political calculations, regional considerations or a broader realignment ahead of the 2027 general election.
Some of his supporters expressed disappointment, arguing that the governor’s endorsement appeared inconsistent with the political sentiments that shaped the recent Osun election, in which the Peoples Democratic Party-backed Adeleke camp faced the All Progressives Congress.
One social media commentator, identified as Dr Kenon, criticised the governor’s position, describing the justification for supporting Tinubu on ethnic grounds as embarrassing.
Another commentator, Lola Okunrin, questioned the decision in the context of the political confrontation surrounding the Osun election.
She wrote that many Osun residents had opposed Tinubu and the APC during the election, while alleging that lives were lost in the process.
The comments reflected the anger among sections of Adeleke’s supporters, who argued that the governor should base his political choices on issues of governance, performance and public interest rather than ethnic affiliation.
Another commentator, identified as FarmerCrypt, also criticised the endorsement, questioning Adeleke’s decision to support the Tinubu administration.
The governor’s declaration has also revived discussions about the political relationship between the Adeleke family and Tinubu’s political camp.
Adeleke’s victory in the Osun governorship election has strengthened his political standing in the state, but his latest position on the 2027 presidential contest could test his relationship with sections of the coalition that supported his re-election.
The development is particularly significant as political parties and influential political actors begin early alignments ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
While Adeleke has publicly declared his position, the reactions from some of his supporters suggest that his endorsement may not necessarily translate into automatic support for Tinubu among all members of his political constituency.
The controversy also highlights the growing political calculations ahead of 2027, with governors, opposition figures and political blocs expected to take positions on the presidential contest as the election approaches.
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