In a move that has stunned political watchers, Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) have endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027.
The endorsement came after weeks of speculation that Adeleke was preparing to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
However, the PDP made its stance clear during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting on Monday at the Government House in Osogbo.
A communiqué issued after the meeting was signed by top leaders, including Governor Adeleke, his deputy Kola Adewusi, Speaker Adewale Egbedun, and former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
The document also carried signatures of 24 other PDP stalwarts.
They stated that local political dynamics and grassroots sentiments shaped their decision.
According to the communiqué, the rumored defection plan did not originate from Governor Adeleke and was strongly rejected by Osun APC members.
Many APC figures had criticized Adeleke harshly on social media and national platforms.
The PDP leaders admitted that many of their members were initially unhappy with the defection talks.
Still, they agreed to remain loyal to Adeleke, wherever he chose to lead.
However, they also made it clear that the governor would stay in PDP.
“Osun remains the ancestral home of President Tinubu,” the communiqué said. “Therefore, we adopt and endorse him for re-election in 2027.”
They described Tinubu as a “son of the soil,” and pledged to support him for another term despite party differences.
At the same time, they reaffirmed Adeleke’s popularity and confirmed he would contest the 2026 Osun governorship election on the PDP platform.
The communiqué concluded by directing PDP structures in Osun to circulate the resolution statewide.
