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🇳🇬 Nigeria /Elections & Politics

Osun Governor's shift to Tinubu support draws scrutiny

From ThisDay · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

Analysis Named sources Context piece
  • Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun has shifted his stance towards President Bola Tinubu, moving from criticism to strong support.
  • This change is scrutinized given that economic hardships and past accusations of political violence against APC chieftains, which Adeleke previously highlighted, have not disappeared.
  • The author questions the reasons behind Adeleke's altered political alignment, emphasizing the need for transparency given the impact of these issues on Osun residents.

A notable shift in Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke's political posture towards President Bola Tinubu warrants close examination, according to Abidemi Adebamiwa. Adeleke, who previously acknowledged economic hardship and accused APC chieftains of political violence while President Tinubu "looked the other way," now expresses increasingly warm and accommodating sentiments toward the president.

This change is particularly striking because the economic difficulties Adeleke once cited have not abated. Osun residents continue to grapple with rising food prices, increased transportation costs, and shrinking purchasing power. Furthermore, Adeleke's past accusations of political violence and warnings against repeating the crisis of 1983, directed at APC chieftains and implicitly at the president's inaction, stand in stark contrast to his current declarations.

our son, father, and leader

— Ademola AdelekeGovernor Adeleke's description of President Tinubu, highlighting a shift in his political tone.

On May 1, 2025, Adeleke described the economic situation as difficult for citizens. Yet, by June 2026, he was publicly endorsing Tinubu's 2027 re-election bid, calling him "our son, father, and leader" with "unshaken and total" support. This rapid transformation raises questions about the underlying reasons for his altered political alignment.

The author argues that Adeleke's previous stance, where he held Tinubu responsible for restraining APC members, suggests a belief in the president's influence. The same standard, Adebamiwa contends, should apply now that Adeleke is aligning himself more closely with the president. The shift demands scrutiny from the people of Osun, who are directly affected by the economic and political landscape.

the economic situation has not been easy for the citizenry

— Ademola AdelekeGovernor Adeleke's acknowledgment of economic hardship in Osun State prior to his shift in political alignment.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ThisDay in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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