Tinubu’s 2027 Bid and the Alleged Plan to Trade Osun Governorship for Adeleke’s Support
By Saliu Muhammed
The Osun chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has not remained silent about the violence that marred the 2023 presidential election in the state—a bloody episode they claim left more than 30 APC loyalists dead. Despite the ultimate emergence of Bola Ahmed Tinubu as Nigeria’s president, the party blames the state’s Governor Ademola Adeleke and his party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), for the gruesome attacks on its members.
Among the tragic stories are the killings of Saheed Oyegunju in Ikire, Ebenezer Alaro in Ilesa, and Tunde Ejoka in Ijebu-Ijesha. Oyegunju, a ward official in Irewole LGA, was abducted on February 23, 2023, en route to an APC rally in Osogbo. He was allegedly taken by thugs linked to Senator Lere Oyewumi and later found dead near Oosa village. Alaro, gunned down outside his father’s home, had just returned from a Tinubu rally. And Ejoka, a physically challenged APC supporter, was beaten to death for simply celebrating Tinubu’s win.
To date, no convictions have been made. Suspects detained early in the investigations have been quietly released, raising concerns of deliberate cover-ups. The families of the deceased and party loyalists are asking: Is justice being denied to appease political interests?
Worse still, there are whispers of a backdoor deal being orchestrated within the corridors of power: allegedly, some of President Tinubu’s allies are lobbying for Governor Adeleke to be handed the APC governorship ticket for 2026 in exchange for his support in Tinubu’s 2027 re-election. Even popular singer Davido, previously a vocal critic of the president is now seen softening his stance and promoting Tinubu, reportedly as part of this alliance. Davido recently led Governor Adeleke to a closed-door meeting with the president in Lagos. While details remain sketchy, speculations point to a political negotiation in the making.
This potential alliance has left many APC supporters in Osun furious and bewildered. To them, the idea of rewarding someone they blame for the deaths of their comrades is both insulting and politically dangerous. Why would Tinubu’s inner circle consider such a risky bargain?
Despite Adeleke’s media charm and flashy public appearances, political watchers say he is losing ground fast. With diminished street support, defections from his party, and visible cracks in governance, many in Osun believe Adeleke is headed for a defeat in 2026. His administration is seen as prioritizing luxury over service, lavishing billions on vehicles and government comfort while schools, hospitals, and agriculture suffer. In Ilesa University, students reportedly pay up to ₦1.5 million in fees, and government hospitals are barely affordable.
Politically, Adeleke has lost several key allies. Prominent PDP figures like Prince Dotun Babayemi, Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, and Chief Shuiab Oyedokun have walked away, citing broken promises and the governor’s alleged tendency to run Osun like a family enterprise. These developments reflect deep dissatisfaction within his own ranks.
Supporters of President Tinubu are asking tough questions: Why risk alienating core APC loyalists in Osun, one of the strongest APC-voting states in 2023, just to court Adeleke? Osun delivered 343,945 votes for Tinubu in the last presidential election, just 10,000 votes shy of Atiku Abubakar’s tally in the state. This, despite the violence and the lack of federal support at the time.
Moreover, in Adeleke’s own Osun West zone, APC won five out of ten local governments. Given these numbers, why would anyone consider sidelining Osun APC faithful in favor of a risky alliance with a politically weakened governor?
If President Tinubu’s team proceeds with such a deal, they risk alienating grassroots supporters and triggering internal revolts. Former PDP defectors to APC, who left due to Adeleke’s governance style, could feel betrayed and retaliate at the polls in 2027.
To retain his support in Osun and ensure a successful 2027 campaign, here’s what President Tinubu should do:
1. Complete Key Federal Projects in Osun, Finish critical infrastructure like the ₦12 billion Eti-Oni–Ijesa Road and the ₦10 billion Ilesa-Akure dual carriageway.
2. Enforce the Court of Appeal Judgment, Uphold the February 10, 2025 verdict reinstating sacked APC council chairmen and councillors.
3. Pursue Justice for APC Victims – Direct the Inspector General of Police to reopen investigations into the killings of APC members in 2022 and 2023 and prosecute those responsible.
4. Ensure Security Neutrality, The military, police, DSS, and INEC must remain impartial in Osun, avoiding a repeat of the 2022 electoral irregularities.
President Tinubu enjoys immense goodwill in Osun. That loyalty should not be taken for granted. If he truly values the commitment of his Osun supporters, he must reject any plan that would hand over the APC ticket in 2026 to Governor Adeleke, someone viewed by many in the state as undeserving.
Allowing such a political trade-off could have serious consequences, not just for APC in Osun, but for Tinub
u’s re-election campaign across Nigeria.
