Adeleke Inaugurates 344-Member Tinubu Campaign Council in Osun, Targets 1.5 Million Votes

OSOGBO, Osun State: Governor Ademola Adeleke has inaugurated a 344-member presidential campaign council in Osun State to coordinate efforts towards securing the re-election of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

The inauguration took place on Thursday, October 22, 2026, in Osogbo, with political stakeholders from the All Progressives Congress (APC), Accord Party and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) represented at the event.

Adeleke, who is coordinating Tinubu’s re-election campaign in the state, said the council would work towards delivering more than the 1.5 million votes previously promised to the President.

In his address, the governor described the alliance involving political structures from the three parties as a “rainbow coalition” and urged members to put aside their differences and work towards a common objective.

He said the partnership was specifically designed to support Tinubu in the presidential election and did not extend to legislative contests.

According to Adeleke, members of the coalition remain free to support candidates of their respective parties in elections for the Senate, House of Representatives and Osun State House of Assembly.

“Our coalition is solely about Mr President,” Adeleke said, emphasising that the alliance was focused on the presidential election.

He called on political leaders and campaign council members to mobilise voters across the state and work together to achieve the target set for Tinubu’s re-election campaign.

APC Leaders Attend Amid Notable Absences

The inauguration attracted several prominent political figures, including former Osun State Governor Chief Adebisi Akande, APC National Secretary Senator Ajibola Basiru and former APC National Secretary Senator Iyiola Omisore.

Other attendees included former deputy governors Titi Laoye-Ponle and Lekan Adewoyin, alongside political leaders from the APC, PDP and Accord Party.

However, some prominent APC figures were absent from the event. They included Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola, the party’s governorship candidate Bola Oyebamiji and Osun APC chairman Tajudeen Lawal.

Former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly Timothy Owoeye and federal lawmaker Oluwole Oke were also reported absent.

The development followed concerns raised by the Osun APC leadership before the inauguration. The party had said it was not adequately briefed about the planned event, raising questions about communication and coordination within the party’s state structure.

Despite the absences, some APC leaders attended and called for unity among party stakeholders in support of Tinubu’s second-term bid.

Basiru Calls for Unity Behind Tinubu

Speaking at the event, Basiru urged political stakeholders to put aside personal ambitions and internal disagreements to support the President’s re-election campaign.

He said Tinubu’s decision to appoint Adeleke as campaign coordinator in Osun should be respected and called on party members to work with the governor to mobilise votes.

Basiru also highlighted the importance of cooperation among political stakeholders, arguing that the campaign required collective effort across the state.

His remarks underscored the challenge of bringing different political interests together under one campaign structure ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

Adeleke Mentions Local Government Crisis

Beyond the campaign, Adeleke also addressed the ongoing local government crisis in Osun State.

The governor disclosed that discussions between the federal and state governments aimed at resolving the dispute had reached an advanced stage.

He expressed hope that an agreement would be reached soon, although he did not provide a specific timeline for a resolution.

The local government dispute has remained a significant political issue in the state, adding another dimension to relations between the state government and federal authorities.

Focus Shifts to 2027 Presidential Election

The inauguration marks the formal commencement of the campaign council’s activities in Osun ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

With the council bringing together political figures from different party structures, its immediate task will be to coordinate mobilisation efforts and pursue the vote target announced by the governor.

However, the absence of several influential APC leaders and the concerns raised over communication ahead of the inauguration highlight potential challenges for the coalition.

Whether the alliance can maintain unity and translate its mobilisation efforts into votes will become clearer as the presidential campaign progresses.