The Imole Campaign Council of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has dismissed suggestions that the governor’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid was tied to any political arrangement.

The council said Adeleke’s support for the President was informed by his administration’s economic reforms and performance in office, not by any prior understanding between both political figures.

Speaking through a post on X on Sunday, the spokesperson for the council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, responded to remarks made by the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo.

Keyamo had congratulated Adeleke on his victory in the Osun governorship election and wrote, “Thank you, Governor Ademola Adeleke, for the public and unequivocal endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu @officialABAT for the 2027 Presidential Election. You are a man of integrity and honour. ‘Agreement is agreement.’”

The minister’s comment triggered widespread reactions on social media, with some users speculating that Adeleke’s endorsement of Tinubu stemmed from a private political deal.

Rejecting that interpretation, Olajengbesi insisted that the outcome of the governorship election reflected the will of Osun voters and should not be linked to any alleged agreement.

“Do not undermine the resilience of Osun people. There is no agreement,” he said.

He added, “Our support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, @officialABAT, is based on his performance and reforms that have strengthened states economically.”

Olajengbesi further maintained that Adeleke’s victory was secured through the votes cast by residents of the state, while Tinubu’s role was limited to ensuring a credible democratic process.

“Osun people voted @AAdeleke_01. President Tinubu simply ensured democratic rules were respected,” he said.

Tribune Online reports that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Sunday formally declared Adeleke, the Accord Party candidate, winner of the Osun governorship election.

The declaration was made on Sunday by the election’s Returning Officer and Vice Chancellor of the Federal University Oye-Ekiti, Professor Joshua Olalekan Ogunwole, after the completion of results collation across the state’s 30 local government areas.

According to the final results announced by Ogunwole, Adeleke polled 511,067 votes, while his closest challenger, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), secured 444,815 votes.

Following the announcement, the INEC Chief Returning Officer confirmed that Adeleke had met the constitutional requirements for election and was therefore returned elected.

“That, Ademola Adeleke of Accord Party, having satisfied the requirements of the law, is hereby declared winner and is returned elected, duly signed by me,” declared Professor Ogunwole. (Nigerian Tribune)