2027: Why Adeleke, Accord Endorsed Tinubu for 2027

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and the national leadership of the Accord Party have explained why they adopted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as their preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 election, saying the move was driven by the need to see ongoing federal infrastructure projects completed.

The decision followed a meeting held on Saturday night in Osogbo between Governor Adeleke and top leaders of the Accord Party. According to a statement issued by the spokesperson for Adeleke’s re-election campaign, Pelumi Olajengbesi, the gathering reviewed issues affecting the party and discussed the political direction ahead of the 2027 general election.

The party leadership agreed that the Tinubu administration should be given the opportunity to complete major infrastructure projects already underway across the country. Among the projects mentioned were the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway and the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, which the party believes are important to national development.

The meeting also reviewed preparations for the August 15 Osun State governorship election. Party leaders expressed concern over the political atmosphere in the state and called for a peaceful electoral process. They urged political actors to avoid violence, intimidation, electoral malpractice and the misuse of security agencies during the election.

Meanwhile, non-indigenous residents from the South, Benue and Plateau states living in Osun have declared their support for Governor Adeleke’s second-term bid.

The endorsement was made during a town hall meeting held in Ede over the weekend. The event was organised by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Non-Indigenes from the South, Benue and Plateau States, Nworie Monday Michael. Participants pledged to continue promoting peaceful coexistence while supporting the development of Osun State under the current administration.

In a separate development, the Osun State Police Command has declared five suspected political thugs wanted over recent violence linked to the state’s political crisis.

The command said the decision followed incidents that resulted in the loss of lives and destruction of property in parts of the state, including the killing of a teenager, Olapade Ezekiel, in Ilobu.

Police spokesperson, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, identified the wanted suspects as Dauda Olamilekan, also known as Emir; Taoreed, popularly called Small Rugged; Adetunji Kamoru Olatunde; Saka Afees, also known as Terror; and Adeyemi Saheed.

The command appealed to residents with useful information about the whereabouts of the suspects to report to the nearest police station to assist ongoing investigations.

Also speaking on the forthcoming governorship election, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, appealed to Christian voters to judge him by his ability to lead rather than his religious background.

Addressing worshippers during a church service in Osogbo, Oyebamiji said leadership should be determined by competence, integrity, vision and character instead of religion or ethnicity. He assured residents that if elected governor, he would govern in line with the Nigerian Constitution, uphold the rule of law and ensure fairness to all citizens regardless of their religious beliefs.

As part of its preparations for the governorship poll, the APC also announced a 276-member National Campaign Council to coordinate its campaign activities across Osun State.

Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, was appointed to lead the campaign council.

In a statement issued by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, the APC said the council includes governors, members of the National Working Committee, ministers, lawmakers and other party leaders from across the country.

The party also constituted several subcommittees to oversee areas including campaign planning, finance, grassroots mobilisation, logistics, media, security, youth engagement, women mobilisation, special interest groups and administrative support ahead of the election.