LEADERS of the Peoples Democratic Party in the Southwest region have berated Governor Ademola Adeleke for endorsing the re-election bid of President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.
A stakeholder in the party, a professor of Political Science at the University of Ilorin, Gbade Ojo, and the South-West caucus of the PDP all carpeted Adeleke.
Reacting, Ojo, who was Chief of Staff to the late former Governor Abiola Ajimobi, said the step taken was an aberration. The professor said: “It is an aberration in a democracy. You work for a presidential candidate of another political party only if yours doesn’t have an aspirant. What a height of anti-party activity! It is politically absurd.”
Also, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP in the South-West, Sanya Atofarati in an interview, said Adeleke was on his own. He said: “I have no reaction to that. He has fundamental rights to do what he wants. The step is personal. The step doesn’t represent the position of the PDP in the South-West.
In the same vein, a former Nigerian Ambassador to the Philippines, Dr Yemi Farounbi, yesterday, said Adeleke might be the loser in endorsing Tinubu’s re-election bid if he (governor) did not seal a concrete agreement with the President before the public announcement.
Farounbi, who also hails from Osun State, said the declaration would gladden Tinubu, noting that the state would be critical to his victory in 2027.
The elder statesman, however, warned that the step of the governor might boomerang if there was no proper agreement reached with the President, saying that concurrence and an assurance of reciprocal support was very important.
Also, former Deputy National Chairman of the PDP, Bode George, has distanced the party’s national leadership from the recent endorsement of Tinubu’s re-election bid by Adeleke, and the state chapter of the PDP.
George, while speaking ahead of the party’s National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting scheduled for tomorrow, declared that the PDP remains firmly opposed to Tinubu’s re-election in 2027, maintaining that the President is “a bad product” that Nigerians must reject at the next polls.
According to him, the PDP is determined to present a “viable and formidable candidate” capable of dislodging Tinubu from AsoRock by May 29, 2027.
In another development, residents of Osun have reacted with mixed reactions following the communiqué issued by the state PDP leadership caucus and Governor Adeleke, which affirmed the governor’s continued stay in the party and his endorsement for re-election in 2026.
The communiqué, released on Monday, July 21, 2025, reportedly came after extensive consultations across the state, acknowledged Osun as the ancestral home of President Bola Tinubu, and also declared support for his re-election bid in 2027.
In their communiqué, the PDP leadership reaffirmed Governor Adeleke as the party’s flagbearer for the 2026 governorship election and directed all members to remain in the PDP.
The PDP caucus revealed that despite widespread loyalty to Governor Adeleke, most party members were not happy with the idea of his possible defection, and cited hostility from some APC leaders as a reason to remain in the PDP.
They further condemned the APC figures who publicly criticised the governor over reports of potential defection, adding that Adeleke was castigated both on national television and social media.
Also, many residents described the resolutions as a stabilising move following weeks of political uncertainty triggered by speculation of Governor Adeleke’s defection to the APC.
Taiwo Adewale, a trader at Owode-Ede market, said, “We have been confused. Now that the governor is staying in PDP, we can focus on the election.”
Saheed Oladimeji, a youth leader in Ejigbo Local Government Area, said, “Some APC leaders insulted the governor online. We felt betrayed.”
The communiqué also followed the recent resignation of prominent PDP chieftains such as Senator Francis Fadahunsi, Senator Olubiyi Fadeyi, Sanya Omirin, and Taofeek AbimbolaAjilesoro.
The move, many political observers in the state saw as a falloutfrom growing discontent within the PDP ranks.
Taiwo Alao, a retired teacher and resident of Osogbo, expressed cautious optimism.
“Let the governor continue his Five Point Agenda. But we also need assurances that the infighting won’t return.”
A community leader in Ede, Chief Olatunji Akanbi, sued for peace and unity within the ranks of the political parties.
He said, “This is not the time for division. Let all parties show maturity. Politics is not a do or die affair.”
Also, a member of the PDP who do not want his name in print chided the party leaders for adopting Tinubu as their presidential candidate for 2027 amidst the local government tussle between the two parties in the state.
“I’m ashamed of our leaders. They do not love the masses. They are endorsing someone who has been fueling the local government crisis in the last six months. We hope they will change and consider those suffering at the grassroots,” the party member stated.
Yusuf Oketola is a trained journalist with over five years of experience in the media industry. He has worked for both print and online medium. He is a thorough-bred professional with an eye of hindsight on issues bothering on social justice, purposeful leadership, and a society where the leaders charge and work for the prosperity of the people.
