ADC Fumes As Adeleke Backs Tinubu For 2027

Osun State’s political scene is heating up after Governor Ademola Adeleke and several top members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) endorsed President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027.

The endorsement came during a closed-door stakeholders’ meeting that brought together high-ranking party figures, including former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola.

The announcement put to rest rumours that Adeleke was planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC). Instead, the governor made it clear he would remain with the PDP while still throwing his weight behind Tinubu’s re-election. The communique from the meeting described Tinubu as a son of Osun State and declared full support for his presidential bid.

The meeting, attended by prominent PDP members such as Senator Lere Oyewumi, Osun PDP Chairman Sunday Bisi, and Professor Wale Oladipo, also confirmed Adeleke as the party’s sole candidate for the 2026 Osun governorship election. Party leaders resolved to spread this decision across all levels of the party in the state, urging members to remain united.

The move quickly sparked backlash from the African Democratic Congress (ADC), which blasted Adeleke for what it described as wavering loyalty. Osun ADC chairman Charles Omidiji accused the governor of playing both sides, warning that his decision to stay in the PDP while backing Tinubu would not shield him from defeat at the next election.

The ADC, which now has former APC leader Rauf Aregbesola as interim national secretary, expressed confidence in winning the 2026 governorship poll. Omidiji said Adeleke’s refusal to defect had only narrowed the gap in what he described as the PDP’s looming loss.

The communique explained that Adeleke’s decision to stay in the PDP was influenced by internal resistance from APC members and the loyalty of his followers. It stated that many APC figures in Osun had openly opposed the idea of Adeleke joining their ranks, with some taking to the media to criticise him.

Meanwhile, PDP members loyal to Adeleke had reportedly accepted that they would follow the governor wherever he went out of support for his leadership. In the end, Adeleke chose to remain, calming internal tensions while aligning politically with a president from the rival party.

With both state and national elections ahead, the PDP’s internal strategy in Osun has drawn attention, especially with a sitting governor openly backing the president of another party. As the 2026 and 2027 contests approach, observers are watching closely to see how this unusual alliance will reshape party politics in the state.