The African Democratic Congress(ADC) has expressed displeasure over Governor Ademola Adeleke move endorsing Tinubu for second tenure.
Recall that Governor Adelek alongside former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and prominent PDP officials publicly announced their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s 2027 reelection campaign on Tuesday, igniting Osun State’s political climate.
The announcement, which was made in a statement following a meeting with prominent stakeholders, also put an end to rumours that Adeleke would defect to the All Progressives Congress and reaffirmed his commitment to staying in the PDP.
The African Democratic Congress(ADC), however, strongly criticised the move, accusing Adeleke of political indecision and stating that his support for Tinubu would not prevent him from losing the 2019 Osun governorship race.
The statement provided to press following the state PDP chieftains’ meeting on Tuesday disclosed the governor’s choice to support Tinubu while staying in the party.
Former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, Osun East Senatorial District lawmaker Lere Oyewumi, Osun PDP chairman Sunday Bisi, former PDP National Secretary Prof. Wale Oladipo, and others were on the meeting’s rollcall.
The stakeholders resolved, “The PDP in Osun State recognises the fact that Osun State is the ancestral home of President Bola Tinubu, which makes the President the son of Osun State.
“Therefore, the PDP in Osun State hereby adopts and endorses President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in the 2027 presidential election.”
Charles Omidiji, the ADC chairman for Osun State, responded to the news by stating that Adeleke’s decision to not join the APC might not ultimately prevent him from losing.
Omidiji then announced that the upcoming Osun governorship election would be won by the ADC, a party led by former governor Rauf Aregbesola as its interim national secretary.
“If he doesn’t join the APC again, it will only reduce the margin of the loss awaiting him at the poll.
“If he had defected, that would have been the end of both the APC and PDP in Osun. But whatever happens, ADC will produce the next Osun governor,” he said.
Giving reasons for Adeleke’s decision not to join the APC, despite months of speculations, the communique read, “The majority of the members of the APC in Osun State are opposed to the idea of the defection of Governor Adeleke to the APC, which did not originate from the governor in the first instance.
“Some APC leaders, based on entrenched interests, have demonstrated hostility and resentment towards Governor Ademola Adeleke. Some went on social media and national television to call Governor Adeleke all kinds of unprintable names.
“The majority of PDP members in Osun State are not happy about the idea of the defection of Governor Adeleke to the APC, but reluctantly agreed to follow Governor Adeleke to whichever party he goes to show their love, support and loyalty to his leadership.”
