Akande Hails Adeleke For Uniting Osun Political Leaders Behind Tinubu

As Omisore urges ADC, Accord members to support president’s re-election bid

Former Osun State Governor and ex-National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Bisi Akande, has commended Governor Ademola Adeleke for bringing political leaders across party lines together to support President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Akande gave the commendation on Thursday in Osogbo during the inauguration of the Osun State Presidential Campaign Council for Tinubu’s second-term ambition ahead of the January 16, 2027 presidential election.

The APC chieftain praised Adeleke for what he described as the courage and capacity to unite political leaders in pursuit of a common cause, particularly the interest of the Yoruba race.

“I congratulate you for having the courage and capacity to bring us together in this hall to pursue the noble cause of the Yoruba race,” Akande said.

He described Adeleke as a pathfinder for bringing political leaders together, noting that his advancing age had made him adopt a less active role in party politics.

Akande, who disclosed that he would turn 88, recalled his years of active political engagement, saying he had gradually moved into the background after turning 75.

He explained that his political generation was accustomed to contributing financially to support party activities, adding that the changing dynamics of politics had sometimes made it difficult for him to unite his followers.

However, the former governor said Adeleke’s initiative had demonstrated the importance of bringing political leaders together, irrespective of their differences.

Akande recalled his mother’s advice in Yoruba: “Gbogbo ibi tí o bá rí tí wọ́n ti ń ṣe nǹkan rere, kò yẹ kí o má wà níbẹ̀,” meaning that one should be present wherever good things are happening.

He said he considered it necessary to attend the event because of the opportunity to support the re-election of Tinubu, whom he described as a son of Yorubaland, adding that he hoped the president would secure another term.

Akande also referred to the target of two million votes reportedly set for Osun State under Adeleke’s leadership, expressing hope that Tinubu’s supporters would have cause to celebrate after the election.

Similarly, the immediate past National Secretary of the APC, Senator Iyiola Omisore, urged members of opposition parties, including the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Accord, to support Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Omisore called on political leaders and party members across Osun to set aside their differences and work towards securing victory for the president.

“We need everybody, irrespective of political affiliation, including ADC, Accord and others, to vote for President Bola Tinubu. We are not talking about governorship, National Assembly and State Assembly elections, but the re-election of our leader,” he said.

He urged party leaders and supporters to work towards delivering two million votes for Tinubu in Osun, describing the target as achievable.

Omisore also commended Adeleke for his role in mobilising political leaders in the state ahead of the presidential election.