Osun APC Lawmakers Deny Tinubu’s Alleged Endorsement of Adeleke

Five lawmakers of the All Progressives Congress (APC) representing Osun State in the National Assembly have dismissed claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu endorsed Governor Ademola Adeleke for a second term.

The legislators, operating under the G-5 caucus, said there was no agreement or assurance from the President to support Adeleke in the August 15 governorship election in the state.

In a statement issued in Osogbo on Sunday, the lawmakers urged the public to disregard what they described as misleading claims of a purported alliance between Tinubu and the governor.

The statement was jointly signed by Senators Adenigba Fadahunsi and Olubiyi Fadeyi, as well as Representatives Oluwole Oke, Bimbo Ajilesoro, and Sanya Omirin, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC.

“Our attention has been drawn to the lies being peddled by some members of the Accord Party about President Bola Tinubu’s support for Governor Ademola Adeleke in the next governorship poll.

“We feel it is time to put an end to the lies and stop their further spread. The President did not at any time endorse or approve Governor Adeleke’s candidacy,” the statement read.

According to the lawmakers, Tinubu has never held any political meeting with Adeleke, noting that their only interaction was a Sallah homage paid by the governor’s family in Lagos the previous year.

They added that in their engagements with the President, he had not expressed interest in Adeleke’s re-election bid or support for any candidate outside the APC.

The group maintained that the party has a candidate in Bola Oyebamiji, who they said enjoys the backing of party stakeholders and is actively contesting the election.

They argued that it would be illogical for the President to support an opposition candidate while his party fields its own candidate in the same election.

The lawmakers also criticised what they described as contradictory actions by Adeleke’s supporters, alleging that some individuals linked to the governor had publicly criticised Tinubu despite claims of an alliance.

They called on APC members and voters in Osun State to remain focused on the party’s campaign and disregard what they termed false narratives from opposition elements.

The group further assured the President of continued political support from the Osun APC, expressing confidence that the party would deliver significant votes in future elections, while urging residents to support Oyebamiji in the forthcoming poll.