Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has dismissed claims that he reached an agreement with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to share legislative and local government positions in the state.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor said the clarification became necessary following social media reports alleging that an agreement with the Presidency ahead of the 2027 general elections included the distribution of political positions.
The reports claimed that local government positions, Senate seats, House of Representatives seats and state House of Assembly positions for the 2027 elections had been shared between the Osun Accord and the state APC.
While reaffirming his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election, Adeleke explained that ongoing discussions over the local government crisis were intended to protect the interests of both APC chairmen and elected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen and councillors.
He described claims of a political position-sharing arrangement as “mere fabrication and fake news.”
The statement read, “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.
“As of now, all stakeholders agree that restoring grassroots governance is a condition for our successful campaign ahead of the 2027 elections.”
Adeleke assured that the local government crisis would be resolved before the end of the year, maintaining that he had not reached any agreement with the Osun APC to share legislative seats.
“What unites the coalition partners is only 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. I will work and campaign for Accord candidates for Senate, House of Representatives and the state House of 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 said.
On Thursday, the governor also maintained that the ‘Rainbow Coalition’ promoted by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, to secure support for Tinubu would not create confusion among Osun voters ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking in Ede during the inauguration of the campaign committee for the re-election of Osun West Senatorial District’s Accord candidate, Lere Oyewumi, Adeleke, who was represented by his deputy, Kola Adewusi, praised the senator for his performance and record of representation.
He described Oyewumi, the current Deputy Minority Leader in the Senate, as a capable representative whose achievements had strengthened his chances of securing another term.
The governor urged members of the campaign committee to demonstrate total commitment towards ensuring the party’s victory.
Addressing concerns surrounding the coalition, Adeleke said, “On the rumour going around in town about ‘Rainbow Coalition,’ don’t let that give us any headache. Let me state again that we are only going to vote for the All Progressives Congress in the presidential election only.
“The National and State Assembly elections will be for the Accord. There should be no confusion among the voters.
“I want to appeal to the members of the campaign committee to work hard and ensure the victory of Senator Lere Oyewumi. There is nothing like 99.9 per cent loyalty. Your loyalty should be 100 per cent.”
In his remarks, Oyewumi credited Adeleke’s leadership and performance with the growing acceptance of the Accord Party across Osun State.
He said his ambition to return to the Senate had been in the works for some time, adding that his experience over the past three and a half years had better prepared him for another term.
“Adeleke is a pathfinder, and his re-election has shown that Osun people love him, and that love will translate to victory for all Accord candidates in the general election.
“In my three and a half years in the Red Chamber, I have learned a lot. What I thought was not possible has been proven to me to be possible. So I am more prepared, more equipped and more determined to give my best to every community in Osun West Senatorial District,” Oyewumi said.
He pledged to intensify infrastructural and social development across the district, promising better roads, improved schools and hospitals, clean water and solar-powered streetlights.
Also speaking, the Director-General of the campaign committee, Adesoye Oyetunde, highlighted some of the senator’s achievements, including road construction, classroom projects, healthcare interventions and support for farmers.
“Out of the 10 local governments we have in this senatorial district, the senator tarred roads in eight of them. In the remaining two, he has already flagged off construction.
“There is no local government in Osun West where Oyewumi has not built classrooms. In terms of healthcare, farm inputs and other interventions, the senator has done a lot for his people, and I know he will do more,” Oyetunde said.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that President Tinubu appointed Adeleke as the coordinator of his re-election campaign in Osun State.
During the inauguration of the 344-member campaign council, several prominent APC figures were absent, despite Adeleke’s charge to the team to coordinate Tinubu’s presidential campaign ahead of the 2027 election.
Among those absent were former Osun Governor, Adegboyega Oyetola; APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji; and the lawmaker representing Obokun/Oriade Federal Constituency, Oluwole Oke.
However, former Osun Governor, Bisi Akande, attended the event alongside other APC chieftains, including APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, former National Secretary Iyiola Omisore, former deputy governors Titi Laoye-Ponle and Lekan Adewoyin, and Babajide Omoworare.
Other notable attendees included Osun Central APC Senatorial Leader Adeoye Adelakun, former federal lawmakers Ajibola Famurewa and Bukola Oyewo, former Osun Assembly Speaker Wale Afolabi, and former NABTEB Registrar, Professor Olu Aina.
