Adeleke’s Camp Denies Political Deal with Tinubu, Responds to Keyamo’s “Agreement Is Agreement” Remark
Governor Ademola Adeleke’s campaign organization has firmly denied claims of any political arrangement between the governor and President Bola Tinubu, pushing back against a remark made by Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo. The clarification came after Keyamo, while congratulating Adeleke on his re-election in the August 15 Osun State governorship poll, made a comment suggesting the existence of an agreement between the two politicians. The minister’s brief but striking statement quickly spread across social media, prompting speculation that Adeleke’s public endorsement of Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election may have been tied to a prior political understanding rather than a genuine independent decision.
The response came from the Imole Campaign Council, Adeleke’s political organization, through its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi. In a post shared on his social media account, Olajengbesi stated clearly that there was no political deal underlying the governor’s support for the President. He explained that Adeleke’s continued backing of Tinubu was based entirely on an honest evaluation of the administration’s performance, particularly its economic reforms, which he said have strengthened states across the country. The spokesperson stressed that the endorsement should not be misread as evidence of a transactional arrangement, insisting instead that it reflected a genuine assessment of governance outcomes under the current administration.
Olajengbesi also used the opportunity to address the broader implication of Keyamo’s remark, cautioning against any interpretation that could diminish the significance of the Osun electorate’s decision. He asked the public not to undermine the resilience shown by voters in the state during the governorship election, noting that their choice at the polls was made independently and should be respected as such. According to the council, while the President’s role during the election period was appreciated, particularly regarding the maintenance of free and fair conditions, it should not be conflated with any behind-the-scenes political bargaining involving the governor.
Keyamo’s original remarks had followed Adeleke’s victory speech, in which the governor thanked Tinubu for what he described as strong support for a transparent electoral process in Osun State. Adeleke had also referred to the President as a son of Osun State before formally reaffirming his earlier endorsement of Tinubu’s bid for a second term in 2027. Reacting to this endorsement, Keyamo described Adeleke as a man of integrity and honour, before adding the now widely discussed phrase suggesting that an agreement remained an agreement. That single line was enough to trigger widespread commentary, with many Nigerians online debating whether it hinted at deeper political coordination between the two camps ahead of the next general election.
The exchange between Keyamo and Adeleke’s team highlights the increasingly complex political undercurrents shaping alliances ahead of the 2027 presidential race. Adeleke, who ran on the platform of the Accord party and secured a decisive victory with over half a million votes against his closest challenger from the All Progressives Congress, remains a significant political figure whose endorsement carries considerable weight. As speculation continues to swirl around the nature of his relationship with the Tinubu administration, both camps appear keen to shape the narrative in different directions, with Keyamo emphasizing loyalty and understanding, while Adeleke’s team insists the governor’s support stands purely on merit and independent judgment.
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