Former Kaduna Central Senator Shehu Sani has defended Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke over his decision to thank President Bola Tinubu and endorse him for the 2027 presidential election.
Adeleke, after being declared winner of the Osun governorship election, praised Tinubu for allowing the election process to remain free and fair. He also reiterated his support for the President’s re-election bid.
Sani argued that critics who expected Adeleke to remain openly confrontational toward Tinubu were overlooking the realities of Nigerian politics and elections.
According to him, winning an election involves more than securing votes at polling units. He said candidates must also ensure that their votes are protected throughout the collation process.
Sani noted that some politicians had lost elections despite winning at polling units because they were unable to safeguard their results during collation.
Meanwhile, Aviation and Aerospace Development Minister Festus Keyamo suggested that Adeleke’s endorsement of Tinubu was based on an existing agreement, saying, “Agreement is agreement.”
However, Adeleke’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, rejected the claim, insisting that there was no agreement between the governor and the President.
Olajengbesi said Adeleke’s support for Tinubu was based on the President’s performance and reforms that had strengthened states economically.
The development has attracted attention because Adeleke belongs to the opposition Accord Party, while Tinubu leads the ruling All Progressives Congress. Adeleke’s conciliatory approach has therefore sparked debate within opposition circles over whether it represents political compromise or strategic cooperation.
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