Osun APC Lawmakers Deny Tinubu Backing Adeleke Re-election Bid

Five federal lawmakers from Osun State, all members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), have rejected claims that President Bola Tinubu has endorsed Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for a second term. The lawmakers, part of the G-5 caucus, include Senators Adenigba Fadahunsi and Olubiyi Fadeyi, as well as Representatives Oluwole Oke, Bimbo Ajilesoro, and Sanya Omirin. Notably, they recently defected from the PDP to the APC.

In a joint statement issued in Osogbo on Sunday, the legislators characterized the reports of President Tinubu’s alleged support for Adeleke as “misleading” and “baseless.” They urged the public to disregard such claims, which they assert originated from members of the Accord Party. The lawmakers emphasized that President Tinubu has never held any formal political meeting with Governor Adeleke, nor has he indicated any intention to support the governor’s re-election bid. They noted that the only interaction between the two was a Sallah homage paid by Adeleke’s family in Lagos last year.

The lawmakers further highlighted that the APC has an official governorship candidate in Bola Oyebamiji, who is actively campaigning and has the support of party stakeholders. They questioned the rationale behind the President endorsing an opposition candidate while his own party fields a contender in the same election. Additionally, they criticized what they described as contradictory actions by Adeleke’s supporters, pointing out that some have publicly criticized President Tinubu despite claims of political alignment.

The group called on APC members and voters in Osun State to remain focused on the party’s campaign and to ignore what they termed “false narratives” from opposition elements. They reaffirmed their loyalty to President Tinubu and expressed confidence that the APC would garner significant support in the upcoming governorship election on August 15. In conclusion, the lawmakers urged residents to rally behind Oyebamiji as the party’s candidate in the election.