Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has dismissed reports alleging that he reached an agreement with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to share legislative positions and local government offices ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Adeleke described the reports circulating on social media as fabricated, insisting that his political understanding with President Bola Tinubu’s administration does not include an arrangement to divide elective positions in Osun State between the Accord Party and the APC.
The governor’s position was conveyed in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Wednesday.
Adeleke reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Tinubu’s re-election in 2027 but maintained that the political cooperation between them was directed at the presidential contest, not at determining the outcomes of other elections in Osun.
Accord Party Candidates to Contest Elections
The governor said Accord Party candidates would participate fully in elections for the Senate, House of Representatives and Osun State House of Assembly.
He stressed that the coalition supporting Tinubu should not be interpreted as an agreement to withdraw candidates or allocate legislative seats to the APC.
According to the governor, candidates of the participating parties would compete for votes, leaving the electorate to determine the eventual winners.
The clarification comes amid speculation about the implications of Adeleke’s political relationship with the Presidency for the distribution of political offices and the conduct of elections in the state.
Adeleke has maintained that cooperation at the presidential level does not prevent his party from contesting other elections independently.
Local Government Dispute Remains a Separate Issue
The governor also addressed the controversy surrounding local government administration in Osun State, saying discussions were ongoing to resolve the dispute and restore grassroots governance.
He said the government’s objective was to protect the interests of stakeholders, including elected officials and APC-affiliated local government chairpersons, while working towards a resolution before the end of the year.
Adeleke argued that restoring effective local government administration was important to the political coalition’s broader objectives.
However, he rejected claims that the discussions amounted to an agreement to share local government offices between the two parties.
The distinction is significant because negotiations over the local government dispute and cooperation on the presidential election concern different political questions. The governor said the former was intended to resolve the administrative crisis, while the latter centred on supporting Tinubu’s re-election.
Political Competition Ahead of 2027
Political alliances and negotiations are expected to feature prominently as parties prepare for the 2027 general elections.
In Osun, Adeleke’s position indicates that he intends to maintain cooperation with Tinubu at the presidential level while backing Accord Party candidates in legislative contests.
The governor urged political parties to campaign for their respective candidates, saying the electorate would have the final say.
His statement seeks to draw a clear distinction between his support for the President and his party’s participation in elections across Osun State.