Adeleke to Lead Tinubu's Campaign in Osun, Oyetola Left Out

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has been named the state coordinator for President Bola Tinubu's 2027 presidential campaign. This is surprising because Adeleke is from the Accord Party, not Tinubu's party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Adeleke's new role places him in the APC's campaign team for Tinubu's reelection. Former Osun governor Adebisi Akande and his deputy Iyiola Omisore are also part of the campaign council as advisers.

The APC's 2027 Presidential Campaign Council announced this list. They plan to inaugurate the council on Wednesday, 14 October, at the Banquet Hall of the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Adeleke's inclusion comes after he publicly supported Tinubu's second-term ambition. He gave a recent endorsement after winning the Osun governorship election in August.

Before the August election, Adeleke and the Accord Party leadership chose Tinubu as their preferred presidential candidate for 2027. They want Tinubu to finish important federal projects, like the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and the Sokoto-Badagry Highway.

After winning reelection on 15 August, where he beat the APC’s Bola Oyebamiji with 511,067 votes, Adeleke again supported Tinubu. He said he wants to see federal projects in the South-west completed.

In a TV interview after his victory, Adeleke denied claims that he had any agreement with Tinubu. He said his support comes from wanting to ensure that federal roads and projects in the South-west do not get ignored.

“I never reached an agreement with Mr President. My support is just based on, he’s a Yoruba man, and he’s from the South-West,” Adeleke told Channels Television.

He also mentioned he is open to working with APC members, including his rival Oyebamiji and Gboyega Oyetola, to support Tinubu.

“Whenever Mr President, when it’s time for him to campaign and all that, whatever how he wants me to come in, I will do it,” he said.

Adeleke’s campaign council dismissed claims that his support for Tinubu was due to a political agreement. They said it is based on the president’s performance and reforms.

Oyetola Left Out of Campaign List

While Adebisi Akande and Iyiola Omisore are included as advisers, Gboyega Oyetola, the former governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, was not listed. Oyetola is seen as the APC leader in the state but has been excluded from the campaign structure.

The APC has not announced what role Oyetola will have in the campaign.