Adeleke Tinubu endorsement sparks backlash after the Osun governor backed President Bola Tinubu for 2027, citing their shared South-West roots
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke faced criticism on Monday, August 17, 2026, in Osogbo after his endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election drew angry reactions from some of his supporters, just days after Adeleke secured a second term in office.
Also read: Kwankwaso Warns Governors of 2027 Re-election Setback
Adeleke explained his position during an interview with Channels Television on Sunday, saying his decision to support Tinubu was influenced by the President’s identity as a Yoruba man from the South-West.
“My support is just based on the fact that he is a Yoruba man and he’s from the South-West,” Adeleke said, adding that he wanted Tinubu to continue projects, particularly federal road projects, in the region.
The endorsement came shortly after Adeleke’s victory in the August 15 Osun governorship election, in which the incumbent defeated All Progressives Congress candidate Bola Oyebamiji.
The Independent National Electoral Commission declared Adeleke the winner after he secured 511,067 votes, while Oyebamiji polled 444,815 votes, giving Adeleke a winning margin of 66,252 votes.
The election was politically significant because Adeleke’s campaign had been conducted against the backdrop of a strong national contest between the Accord Party governor and the APC candidate.
The result secured Adeleke another four-year term and reinforced his political standing in the state.
His subsequent endorsement of Tinubu, however, has created an awkward political moment for some supporters who had opposed the President and the APC during the governorship campaign.
Several users on X criticised the governor, with some accusing him of failing to reflect the political position they believed had helped secure his re-election.
One user, identified as Dr Kenon, described Adeleke’s position as “very embarrassing” and said he was disappointed that the governor had linked his support for Tinubu to their shared ethnicity.
Another user, Lola Okunrin, questioned the decision in the context of the sacrifices made by Osun residents during the election, while other commentators argued that political support should be based on competence and governance rather than ethnic identity.
The reactions remain individual social media opinions and do not necessarily represent the wider position of Osun voters or Adeleke’s supporters.
Adeleke has also clarified that his support for Tinubu does not stem from a political agreement between them.
In a separate response, the governor denied reaching a deal with the President to deliver Osun to him politically in exchange for backing his 2027 re-election bid.
Despite their different political affiliations, Adeleke and Tinubu have maintained a relatively cordial relationship.
Adeleke has previously met with the President, while Tinubu has also engaged with the Osun governor.
Adeleke’s comments therefore highlight the complex political calculations already emerging ahead of the 2027 general election.
His position could also test how political alliances are interpreted by supporters who backed him against the APC in the recent Osun contest.
For now, the governor appears to be separating his support for Tinubu’s 2027 bid from party politics, presenting the decision primarily through the lens of regional identity and development.
Also read: Kwankwaso Warns Governors of 2027 Re-election Setback
The backlash, however, shows how sensitive that argument remains, particularly so soon after an election in which Adeleke’s supporters mobilised strongly against the APC candidate.
