Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has revealed how President Bola Tinubu once publicly acknowledged him at a National Executive Council meeting, describing the gesture as a “powerful recognition.”
Adeleke made the revelation on Sunday in Osogbo while receiving the National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Ajibola Basiru, and other chieftains of the party at the Osun Government House.
The governor was explaining why he would not withdraw his endorsement of Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election when he recalled his earlier support for the President’s preferred candidates for the leadership of the National Assembly.
According to Adeleke, Tinubu’s Chief of Staff had contacted him and asked him to help mobilise Osun lawmakers to support Senator Godswill Akpabio for Senate President and Tajudeen Abbas for Speaker.
Adeleke said he immediately promised to deliver, despite indications that some of the lawmakers were backing Abdulaziz Yari.
He recalled personally intervening to ensure that the lawmakers followed Tinubu’s preferred choice.
He said his loyalty was later recognised by Tinubu at a National Executive Council meeting.
“As a matter of fact, the President gave me a powerful recognition at the meeting. I was sitting there, and the President came in, and he was looking for me,” Adeleke said.
The governor insisted that he does not make empty promises or go back on his word.
“So, I don’t make empty promises; I don’t play games. That is not me, because I have the fear of God,” he added.
Adeleke also recalled Tinubu’s intervention after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) froze the Osun Government account shortly before the August 15 governorship election, saying the President showed empathy during the crisis.
He therefore maintained that his endorsement of Tinubu for 2027 remains intact.
The governor also urged political stakeholders in Osun to put their differences aside and work together for the development of the state.
‘We’ll deliver 1.5m votes for Tinubu’
Basiru, who spoke after the meeting, said the political cooperation between Adeleke’s Accord and the APC could deliver as many as 1.5 million votes for Tinubu in Osun in 2027.
He said Adeleke had not only endorsed Tinubu but had also promised to campaign for him on the field.
Basiru based the projection on the combined strength of the APC and Accord in the last governorship election, saying the two parties could work together to secure a massive victory for Tinubu in the presidential election.
Don’t Miss Out! Join our WhatsApp Channel for instant news updates. Click here to join
ALSO READ:
ATIKU TO TINUBU: NO GOOD FATHER HEADS FOR AIRPORT WHEN HOUSE IS ON FIRE
