Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has dismissed reports that he reached an agreement with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to share legislative seats and local government positions ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that his alliance with the party is limited to President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.
Adeleke made the clarification on Wednesday through his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, following reports circulating on social media that the governor had reached a deal with the Presidency to distribute positions between the Accord Party and the APC.
The reports alleged that the parties had agreed on the sharing of local government positions, as well as seats in the Senate, House of Representatives and Osun State House of Assembly.
Describing the claims as “mere fabrication and fake news”, Adeleke said no such arrangement had been reached, stressing that candidates of the various parties would have to compete for legislative seats in the 2027 elections.
The governor, who is supporting Tinubu’s re-election, said the political understanding between the coalition partners was specifically designed to secure another term for the President and did not extend to other electoral contests.
“As I said while inaugurating the presidential campaign council, the coalition is targeted at the presidential election. Partners agreed to join hands to ensure our dear president is re-elected. All other legislative positions are open for competition,” he said.
Adeleke further declared that he would campaign for Accord candidates seeking seats in the National Assembly and the state legislature, urging other political parties to do the same for their candidates.
“I urge all political parties to campaign for their candidates as I will do for Accord candidates. We have no deal on the National Assembly and the State Assembly elections. All our candidates will face the electorate, who have the final say,” he added.
On the lingering local government crisis in Osun, the governor said discussions were aimed at protecting the interests of APC chairmen and elected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen and councillors.
“As the governor of all Osun indigenes and residents, we are working to resolve the local government matter by ensuring that all interests are protected and cared for,” the statement read.
Adeleke expressed optimism that the dispute would be resolved before the end of the year, arguing that restoring effective grassroots administration was necessary for governance and preparations ahead of the 2027 elections.
The clarification comes amid political realignments in Osun following Adeleke’s decision to work with the APC-led coalition backing Tinubu’s re-election, despite belonging to the Accord Party.
The governor inaugurated a 344-member campaign council on October 22 to coordinate Tinubu’s campaign in the state. However, the absence of some prominent Osun APC leaders from the event raised questions about the level of cooperation between the parties.
Former governor Bisi Akande attended the inauguration alongside APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru and former national secretary Iyiola Omisore.
Adeleke’s latest statement seeks to draw a clear line between the joint effort to return Tinubu to office and the separate contests for legislative and local political positions, which he says will remain open to competition.