Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, and the national leadership of the Accord Party have adopted President Bola Tinubu as the party’s candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
The development followed a meeting held on Saturday night in Osogbo between the governor and the party’s national leadership to discuss issues affecting the party and preparations for future elections.
In a statement, spokesperson for the Adeleke re-election campaign, Pelumi Olajengbesi, said the party leadership stressed the need for the Tinubu administration to complete ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Road and the Sokoto-Badagry Highway.
The meeting also reviewed preparations for the forthcoming Osun governorship election, with the party warning against violence, intimidation, electoral manipulation and the alleged use of security agencies to harass Accord Party members in the state.
Meanwhile, non-indigenous residents from the South, Benue and Plateau states living in Osun pledged their support for Adeleke’s re-election during a town hall meeting held in Ede.
The meeting was convened by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Non-Indigenes from the South, Benue and Plateau States, Mr. Nworie Monday Michael, with participants reaffirming their commitment to peaceful coexistence and the development of the state.
In a related development, the Osun State Police Command has declared five suspected political thugs wanted over recent violence in the state.
The command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the suspects were being sought in connection with killings and the destruction of property recorded during the political crisis, including the death of a teenager, Olapade Ezekiel, in Ilobu.
Those declared wanted are Dauda Olamilekan, also known as Emir; Taoreed, alias Small Rugged; Adetunji Kamoru Olatunde; Saka Afees, also known as Terror; and Adeyemi Saheed.
The police urged residents with useful information on the suspects’ whereabouts to report to the nearest police station.
Also, the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, appealed to Christians in Osun State to support him based on competence rather than religion.
Addressing worshippers at Winners Chapel in Osogbo, Oyebamiji urged voters to prioritise integrity, vision, character and capacity when electing leaders.
“Politics is one of the legitimate avenues through which we can promote justice, equity, peace and development. Christians should participate actively by voting, offering constructive ideas, praying for leaders and, where called, seeking elective or appointive offices.
“As citizens, we all have a responsibility to elect leaders based on competence, integrity, character, vision and capacity to serve—not on sentiment, ethnicity or religious affiliation alone. Democracy flourishes when citizens make informed choices and insist on accountable leadership.
“Permit me to also say that although I am a Muslim, I firmly believe in the constitutional principles upon which our nation is founded. Nigeria belongs to all of us. Our Constitution guarantees freedom of religion and equal rights for every citizen. By the grace of God, if entrusted with the responsibility of governing Osun State, I shall govern strictly in accordance with the Constitution, the rule of law, fairness, justice and equity.”
The APC also unveiled a 276-member National Campaign Council for the Osun governorship election, appointing Imo State Governor and Chairman of the Progressive Governors’ Forum, Senator Hope Uzodimma, as chairman.
According to a statement by the party’s National Secretary, Senator Surajudeen Ajibola Basiru, the council comprises governors, members of the National Working Committee, ministers, lawmakers and other key stakeholders from across the country.
The party added that specialised subcommittees had also been established to coordinate campaign planning, finance, grassroots mobilisation, logistics, security, media, women and youth mobilisation, compliance, protocol and other campaign activities ahead of the election.