A fresh chapter has opened in Osun State’s political drama as Ibukun Fadipe, a prominent chieftain of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), claims that President Bola Tinubu personally “begged” Governor Ademola Adeleke for endorsement ahead of the 2027 presidential election. Fadipe’s statement adds intrigue to ongoing speculation about cross-party alliances and power struggles in one of Nigeria’s most politically watched states.
Fadipe, who spoke publicly amid recent high-level meetings between PDP leaders and Governor Adeleke, insisted that Adeleke did not owe the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) or the federal government any allegiance for the upcoming Osun 2026 governorship contest. He asserted that President Tinubu had sought Adeleke’s support for his re-election ambitions and that this overture was made before Adeleke and Osun PDP declared their endorsement of Tinubu for 2027.
This endorsement of Tinubu a key APC leader from the PDP camp remains controversial and unprecedented. The Osun PDP has reaffirmed its intention to stand behind Governor Adeleke as he seeks a second term in 2026, stating that his electoral strength is rooted in grassroots appeal and not in reliance on federal government backing. Fadipe emphasized that Adeleke’s popularity in Osun State and the PDP’s dominance mean the governor does not need outside support to secure victory.
The development has sparked intense debate within Osun’s political circles. While some see the endorsement as a pragmatic gesture recognizing President Tinubu’s Osun ancestry, others interpret it as a strategic maneuver especially with persistent rumors about Adeleke’s possible defection to the APC or alignment with national power brokers ahead of 2026 and 2027 elections.
As both Tinubu and Adeleke shore up support for their respective bids, the nature of their relationship and the dynamics within Osun’s PDP are set to shape political narratives in the lead-up to Nigeria’s next major election cycle.
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