Keyamo Praises Adeleke’s Renewed Endorsement of Tinubu for 2027, Says “Agreement Is Agreement”
Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, has commended Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke for publicly reaffirming his support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027. Keyamo made the remarks shortly after Adeleke secured a fresh mandate in the August 15 Osun governorship election, defeating his closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress. Reacting on social media, Keyamo described the governor as a man of integrity and honour, thanking him for what he called a clear and unequivocal endorsement of the President’s second-term ambition. The minister’s short but pointed remark that an agreement remains an agreement quickly became one of the most talked-about political statements of the weekend, drawing widespread commentary across Nigerian political circles.
Adeleke’s renewed backing for Tinubu came during his victory speech after being officially declared winner of the closely watched governorship contest. The governor expressed appreciation to the President for ensuring what he described as a free and fair electoral process in Osun State, adding that Tinubu’s role in maintaining democratic order during the polls deserved recognition. He went further to describe the President as a son of Osun State, a remark seen as an affectionate nod to Tinubu’s long-standing ties with the region. Adeleke then formally restated his earlier endorsement of the President’s bid for a second term, framing his continued support as a natural extension of his appreciation for the administration’s conduct during the election.
Keyamo’s response to the endorsement, however, stirred a wave of political speculation. His reference to an existing agreement led many observers to question whether there was a private political understanding between Adeleke and Tinubu that predated the endorsement. The phrase spread quickly across social media platforms, with commentators debating its implications for the alignment of political forces ahead of the 2027 presidential race. Given Adeleke’s standing as a prominent opposition figure who has now openly thrown his weight behind the ruling party’s candidate, the minister’s comment added an extra layer of intrigue to an already significant political development.
Adeleke’s campaign team moved swiftly to address the growing speculation. The Imole Campaign Council, through its spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, firmly rejected any suggestion that the governor’s support for Tinubu was the result of a political bargain. According to the council, Adeleke’s endorsement was rooted purely in his personal assessment of the President’s performance and the economic reforms carried out during his time in office. The council emphasized that the people of Osun State made their own independent choice at the polls, and that the President’s involvement was limited to ensuring that democratic processes were respected and upheld throughout the exercise. The spokesperson urged the public not to allow the controversy to overshadow the resilience and independence shown by Osun voters in the election.
The developments come against the backdrop of a governorship race that saw Adeleke poll well over half a million votes to retain his seat, comfortably ahead of his APC challenger. President Tinubu also personally congratulated Adeleke following the announcement of the results, describing the governor’s victory as confirmation of the confidence residents of Osun State continue to place in his leadership. The President further encouraged Adeleke to focus on uniting the state’s residents beyond political lines as his new term begins. With the 2027 presidential election still some time away, the exchange between Keyamo and Adeleke’s camp has already added a fresh dimension to early political positioning, as parties and individual politicians continue to weigh alliances and public declarations of support ahead of the next election cycle.
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