No deal with APC on legislative, LG seats–Adeleke

By Kayode Idowu
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has denied entering into any agreement with the All Progressives Congress (APC) to share local government and legislative positions, saying his political alliance with the Presidency is primarily focused on President Bola Tinubu’s re-election in 2027.
Adeleke made the clarification on Wednesday amid social media reports alleging that his relationship with the Presidency involved sharing local government positions, Senate seats, House of Representatives seats and State House of Assembly positions between the Accord Party and the APC in Osun State.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, the governor described the reports of an agreement to share political offices as “mere fabrication and fake news.”
He said negotiations to resolve the lingering local government crisis in the state were aimed at protecting the interests of all parties involved and restoring grassroots governance.
“As the governor of all Osun indigenes and residents, we are working to resolve the local government matter by ensuring that all interests are protected and cared for. As at now, all stakeholders agreed that restoring grassroots governance is a condition for our successful campaign ahead of the 2027 elections”, the governor posited.
Adeleke assured residents that the local government crisis would be resolved before the end of the year, adding that the coalition arrangement with the Presidency did not extend to legislative elections.
He maintained that while he would support Tinubu’s re-election, candidates of the Accord Party would contest legislative positions independently.
“As I said while inaugurating the Presidential Campaign Council, the coalition is targeted at the presidential election. Partners agreed to join hands to ensure our dear president is re-elected. All other legislative positions are open for competition. I will work and campaign for Accord candidates for Senate, House of Representatives and the State House of Assembly.
“I urge all political parties to campaign for their candidates as I will do for Accord candidates. We have no deal on the National Assembly and the State Assembly elections. All our candidates will face the electorate who has the final say”, the governor was quoted as saying in the press statement.
The governor’s clarification comes amid political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the relationship between state political actors and the Presidency attracting public attention.
Adeleke urged political parties to campaign for their respective candidates in the legislative elections, insisting that the electorate would ultimately decide the outcome of the contests.