Adeleke Denies Deal to Share Osun Legislative Seats With APC Ahead of 2027 Elections

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has denied reports that he reached an agreement with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to share legislative and local government positions in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Adeleke, through a statement signed by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said the clarification became necessary following social media reports alleging that he had reached a deal with the Presidency involving the distribution of political positions.

The reports claimed that local government positions, Senate seats, House of Representatives seats and State House of Assembly constituencies to be contested in 2027 had been shared between the Osun Accord and the APC.

Describing the claims as false, the governor maintained that his political cooperation with other parties was limited to the re-election campaign of President Bola Tinubu.

Adeleke reaffirmed his support for Tinubu’s re-election bid, explaining that discussions concerning the ongoing local government crisis were intended to protect the interests of both APC chairmen and elected Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairmen and councillors.

The statement said the governor was committed to resolving the local government dispute while ensuring that all parties involved were treated fairly.

“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.

It added that stakeholders agreed that restoring grassroots governance was necessary for the coalition’s preparations ahead of the 2027 elections.

Adeleke further insisted that no agreement had been reached to share legislative positions with the APC, stressing that candidates would compete for those offices independently.

“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.

The governor stated that he would campaign for candidates of the Accord Party for the Senate, House of Representatives and Osun State House of Assembly elections.

He also urged other political parties to campaign for their respective candidates, maintaining that voters would ultimately decide the outcome of the legislative contests.

“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,” the statement added.

Adeleke assured that the local government crisis would be resolved before the end of the year, although the statement did not provide further details on the proposed resolution.

The clarification comes after the inauguration of a 344-member Presidential Campaign Council tasked with coordinating Tinubu’s re-election campaign in Osun State ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Some prominent APC leaders in the state reportedly did not attend the inauguration. However, former Osun State Governor Bisi Akande led several party chieftains to the event.

Those present included APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru, former National Secretary Senator Iyiola Omisore, former deputy governors Titi Laoye-Ponle and Sooko Lekan Adewoyin, Senator Babajide Omoworare and Chief Shuaib Oyedokun.

Other attendees included Osun Central APC Senatorial Leader Adeoye Adelakun, former members of the House of Representatives Ajibola Famurewa and Bukola Oyewo, former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly Wale Afolabi, and former National Business and Technical Examinations Board Registrar, Professor Olu Aina.