Nigeria: Tinubu 2027 - Will Adeleke Stand By His Promise of Support?

What the report says

This Day reports that Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has repeatedly said he will support President Bola Tinubu’s bid for re-election in 2027, even though Adeleke belongs to the opposition Peoples Democratic Party. The article says he has kept to that position through political tensions in Osun and after winning his own re-election, restating that he does not make promises lightly.

According to the report, Adeleke has presented the pledge as a matter of South-west solidarity, arguing that the region should rally behind Tinubu, a Yoruba president, to strengthen its influence ahead of the next election cycle. He has also linked the relationship to practical state interests, including federal funding and progress on projects such as the Ibadan-Ile-Ife-Ilesa Expressway.

The article notes that the stance has drawn criticism from some political observers and local stakeholders. They argue that an opposition governor should remain loyal to the voters who elected him, not to the incumbent president he previously opposed. Analysts quoted in the piece also warn that endorsements like this can weaken opposition coalitions and reduce democratic checks. For now, the report says Adeleke’s support remains a public declaration rather than an active campaign commitment, with the real test likely to come closer to 2027.