The second term gubernatorial bid of incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State is facing significant challenges, as he is under pressure to find a viable strategy to remain in office beyond 2026. The race for his re-election is becoming increasingly intense and desperate, as some of his planned strategies to secure a second term appear to be falling apart.
A few months
ago, Governor Adeleke, along with his brother, met with President Bola Ahmed
Tinubu to discuss his second term aspirations and the President’s chances in
the upcoming election. Following this meeting, reports suggested that the
governor might defect to the ruling party and support the President in the
presidential election within the state. However, there were also
recommendations for him to stay with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and
support the President.
After the
meeting, the Osun State chapter of the PDP unanimously endorsed Governor
Adeleke for a second term ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial election and
expressed support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. Governor
Adeleke announced this endorsement through a post on his official X handle,
following discussions with the Osun PDP Leadership Caucus in Osogbo. This
gathering came after weeks of consultations with stakeholders across the state,
including traditional rulers, civil servants, market leaders, and grassroots
party members.
Despite
these efforts, it seems that the strategy may not be effective. The leading
figures in the Osun All Progressives Congress (APC) have been firmly opposed to
the governor’s approach. The Osun APC has informed him that he lacks
overwhelming support to win the next election, which has prompted his
desperation in seeking President Tinubu’s support to pave the way for his
strategy. Top APC members in the state have advised the President that the
governor will struggle to defeat the APC in the upcoming elections, providing
several reasons for their stance.
Currently,
there are prominent APC aspirants in Osun State who have begun strategizing on
how they can defeat the incumbent governor. Aware that his chances are limited,
Governor Adeleke seems ready to explore alternative avenues to secure his
position.
A few weeks
ago, a reliable source reported that Governor Ademola Adeleke had a secret
meeting with former Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola. The discussion
centered on the upcoming second-term election and how Aregbesola could support
Adeleke in securing a second term. It is important to note that Adeleke won the
state when the All Progressives Congress (APC) was fragmented, largely due to
Aregbesola’s faction, which has since moved to the African Democratic Congress
(ADC).
Recently,
the Osun State chapter of the APC accused Governor Adeleke of courting
Aregbesola and the ADC in an attempt to create a platform for the 2026
governorship election. In a statement signed by the APC’s Chairman, Tajudeen
Lawal, the party claimed that Adeleke and his allies were “hobnobbing” with
Aregbesola, who is currently the National Secretary of the ADC, to secure his
second-term bid amidst the deepening crisis in the Peoples Democratic Party
(PDP) at the national level.
The APC
expressed concern that uncertainty clouding Adeleke’s re-election prospects
under the PDP has led him to seek assistance from Aregbesola, a figure he had
recently criticized harshly. The statement noted that Adeleke had previously
attempted to join the APC, but his overtures were rejected because his poor
performance in office was deemed likely to tarnish the party’s reputation.
Moreover,
the Osun APC expressed surprise that Adeleke is now reaching out to Aregbesola,
whom he had referred to with derogatory terms just four months earlier. “It is
strange that Adeleke now views Aregbesola as his political savior, particularly
in light of the legal challenges facing the PDP at the national level,” the APC
stated. They cited a “complete lack of honor” on Adeleke’s part, suggesting he
is now “cap in hand, genuflecting before” someone he once disparaged.
Additionally,
City People spoke with a prominent political stakeholder in Osun who asserted
that while the governor has multiple options, his current strategies have not
been effective. The source indicated that a potential solution for Adeleke
would be to reconcile with Aregbesola. “As we speak, the governor is desperate
and worried about his second term, pressing many panic buttons in recent weeks.
Just a few days ago, he was in Ife, promising the community he would commission
a road project by December after being accused of neglecting the area in favor
of Ede Town.”
The
stakeholder added that the easiest way for Adeleke to move forward would be to
appeal to the APC leadership in the state, potentially reaching a mutually
beneficial agreement.
Despite
these challenges, Governor Adeleke remains optimistic about his chances in
Osun. “I am confident I’m going to win. If I could defeat an incumbent before,
and now that I’m the governor, what we have achieved in less than two years is
unprecedented. I am so confident that nobody can beat us,” he asserted.
He noted
that during his first term, he had the benefit of federal support but expressed
doubt that the current administration would risk its credibility by interfering
in his election, as it would occur just before the presidential election.
Sources
close to the governor revealed that he has made efforts to align the Osun APC
with his goals and is exploring other strategies to bolster his candidacy for
the 2026 election.
Isaac Abimbade
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