Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has described his decision to endorse President Bola Tinubu for a second term in 2027 as driven by morality and development considerations.
According to a statement by his spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, on Monday, Governor Adeleke made this revelation on Sunday after inspecting the ongoing construction of the Ibadan-Ile Ife-Ilesa Expressway, where he praised the President for supporting infrastructure projects in Osun State and the wider South-West region.
Adeleke said, “The endorsement transcends party affiliation and reflects the collective interest of Osun people and the Yoruba nation.”
He said President Tinubu deserved support as “our own son, father and leader”.
“I required no persuasion before publicly declaring support for the President’s re-election bid.
“I am the governor of the ancestral birthplace of Mr President. How can I have my own in the saddle and think twice before embracing him?”
The governor stated that Osun people considered themselves fortunate to have one of their own leading the country, while also jokingly noting that Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu might claim to be luckier.
Adeleke also commended the pace and quality of work on the Ibadan-Ile Ife-Ilesa Expressway, saying the reconstruction would improve transportation and economic activities across major towns in Osun State.
“I am elated at the speed and quality of work. The reconstruction will further widen and ease access to major centres of Osun State and complement my administration’s accelerated infrastructure deliveries across towns and villages,” he stated.
The governor disclosed that his administration had rehabilitated several federal roads since assuming office in 2022, while more than 300 kilometres of state roads had also been reconstructed across the state.
He appealed to the Federal Government to approve refunds for federal roads rehabilitated by the Osun State Government, while expressing appreciation for the approval of the Ibadan-Iwo-Osogbo Road and the Gbongan-Akoda Road reconstruction projects.
Adeleke said he intended to formally request presidential approval for the reconstruction of the Osogbo-Ilesa Road, stressing that additional federal intervention would boost infrastructure development in the state.
The governor also declared that his administration would ensure free and fair elections in Osun State, insisting that democracy would prevail during the August 15 governorship election and beyond.
