Ademola Adeleke, governor of Osun, has denied entering into an agreement with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to share legislative and local government positions ahead of the 2027 general election.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Olawale Rasheed, his spokesperson, Adeleke said the clarification became necessary following social media reports alleging that he had reached an agreement with the presidency to share political positions with the APC.
The reports claimed that local government positions, as well as seats in the senate, house of representatives and Osun state house of assembly, had been shared between the Accord and the APC ahead of the elections.
The governor, who is a member of President Bola Tinubu’s campaign council, described the reports as “mere fabrication and fake news”.
He said negotiations to resolve the local government crisis in the state were intended to protect the interests of APC chairmen and elected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen and councillors.
“As the governor of all Osun indigenes and residents, we are working to resolve the local government matter by ensuring that all interests are protected and cared for,” the statement reads.
Adeleke expressed confidence that the crisis would be resolved before the end of the year, adding that restoring grassroots governance was necessary for a successful campaign ahead of the 2027 elections.
The governor reaffirmed his support for Tinubu’s re-election but maintained that the political understanding between the coalition partners was limited to the presidential election.
“As I said while inaugurating the presidential campaign council, the coalition is targeted at the presidential election. Partners agreed to join hands to ensure our dear president is re-elected. All other legislative positions are open for competition,” he said.
Adeleke said he would campaign for Accord candidates contesting seats in the senate, house of representatives and state assembly.
“I urge all political parties to campaign for their candidates as I will do for Accord candidates. We have no deal on the National Assembly and the State Assembly elections. All our candidates will face the electorate, who have the final say,” he added.
On October 22, some prominent Osun APC leaders were absent from the inauguration of the 344-member campaign council inaugurated by Adeleke to lead Tinubu’s re-election campaign in the state.
Former Osun governor Bisi Akande, however, attended the event alongside other APC chieftains, including Ajibola Basiru, the party’s national secretary, and Iyiola Omisore, a former national secretary.
