Five federal lawmakers from Osun State have dismissed claims that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has endorsed Governor Ademola Adeleke for re-election ahead of the August 15 governorship poll.
The lawmakers, now aligned with the All Progressives Congress (APC), said suggestions of any such political deal are false and should be disregarded by the public.
In a statement issued in Osogbo on Sunday, the group, operating under the G-5 platform, insisted that President Tinubu never assured Adeleke of support.
“Our attention has been drawn to the lies being peddled… The President did not at any time endorse or approve Governor Adeleke’s candidacy,” the lawmakers said.
They added that the only interaction between Tinubu and Adeleke was a Sallah homage visit by the governor’s family in Lagos last year, not a political meeting as widely speculated.
The lawmakers, who recently defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), also used the opportunity to rally support for the APC’s governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.
They described it as “misleading” for Adeleke to allegedly claim backing from the president while contesting under a different political platform.
“Is it not unreasonable to think the President will trade the last election before his own re-election bid?” the statement read, questioning the logic behind the rumours.
The G-5 lawmakers expressed confidence in the APC’s chances in the upcoming election, pointing to Tinubu’s previous electoral performance in the state and their recent defection as a boost.
They also assured residents that Osun stands to benefit more from federal support if the APC wins the governorship seat.
The development highlights growing political tension ahead of the Osun governorship election, with parties positioning themselves and countering narratives that could influence voter perception.
While the APC lawmakers have firmly denied any alliance between Tinubu and Adeleke, the controversy reflects the high stakes and shifting alliances shaping the state’s political landscape ahead of 2026.
