Osun PDP Endorses Governor Adeleke for 2026, Shocks Public by Declaring Support for Tinubu’s 2027 Presidential Bid

In a surprising political development, the Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has formally endorsed Governor Ademola Adeleke for a second term in office ahead of the 2026 governorship election. Even more unexpected was the party’s open declaration of support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

Governor Adeleke made this announcement on Tuesday through a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, following a strategic meeting with the PDP leadership caucus in Osogbo.

“Yesterday, I met with the @OfficialPDPNig Leadership Caucus in Osogbo after weeks of consultations with stakeholders across Osun from traditional rulers and civil servants to market leaders and grassroots party members,” Adeleke stated.

Reaffirming his loyalty to the PDP, the governor expressed appreciation for the party’s continued support.
“I remain in the PDP, the party that gave me the platform to serve the good people of Osun. I have been unanimously endorsed by the Osun PDP for a second term in 2026,” he said.

In a bold cross-party endorsement, Governor Adeleke also revealed that the Osun PDP caucus had declared its support for APC’s President Bola Tinubu, referring to him as “a proud son of our state.”

“Our party in Osun has also endorsed President @officialABAT for re-election in 2027,” Adeleke announced.

Despite the endorsement of a rival party’s presidential candidate, Governor Adeleke insisted that the PDP remains the dominant and most trusted political force in Osun State.

“PDP remains the most popular and trusted party across Osun State,” he emphasized.

He reiterated his administration’s dedication to its Five-Point Agenda and assured citizens of continued good governance, saying the ongoing support from the people of Osun is his driving force.

This announcement comes amidst growing speculation that Governor Adeleke might defect to the ruling APC. However, his latest statement appears to clarify his position — staying loyal to the PDP while building a bridge across party lines by supporting Tinubu’s presidency.

Earlier in July, during a leadership caucus meeting at the Banquet Hall of the Government House in Osogbo, the Osun PDP publicly passed a vote of confidence in Governor Adeleke. The party leaders also declared that they would stand by him, even if he chose to switch political parties.

A communique issued after that meeting, signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, reaffirmed full backing for Adeleke, stating that the PDP leadership would “unanimously support any decision the Governor takes on the growing rumour of defection to another political party.”

While there have been reports suggesting that high-level talks are ongoing regarding Adeleke’s potential defection to the APC, sources claim the final decision could ultimately rest with President Tinubu. Some APC insiders view Adeleke’s entry as a game-changing move, although others remain cautious about potential internal backlash.

For now, Governor Adeleke’s dual endorsement strategy has redrawn the political landscape in Osun State, blurring the lines between party loyalty and strategic alignment ahead of the 2026 and 2027 elections.