Why I Visited Adeleke After His Election Victory– APC National Secretary, Basiru

By Ayobami Ayobami, Osogbo

The National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Ajibola Basiru, has explained that his visit to the Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, was primarily to appreciate him for his support during the burial of his mother, congratulate him on his re-election and commend his decision to support President Bola Tinubu.

Basiru stated this on Sunday when he visited Governor Adeleke at the Government House, Osogbo.

The former Osun Central Senator said the visit was in keeping with the values of an “Omoluabi”, noting that Adeleke had visited his family and attended his mother’s burial despite their political differences.

According to him, Adeleke had not only visited his family when he lost his mother but also attended the burial ceremony dressed in the same traditional attire he wore.

He said, “My visit here is threefold. I want to thank His Excellency and also return the visit he made to my house during the time I lost my mother.

“You know that it was well reported that he came to my house to visit me and my family. He also graciously attended the burial ceremonies for my mother. He even wore a complete abada of the same attire that I wore. So, I came to thank him as is expected of an Omoluabi.”

Basiru explained that he could not immediately reciprocate the visit because the August 15 governorship election campaign was ongoing at the time, adding that he had vigorously campaigned for the APC candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji.

The APC national secretary said his second reason for visiting Adeleke was to congratulate him on his victory in the election, despite the governor defeating his party’s candidate.

He said, “The second is also to congratulate him for his victory in the election, even though he defeated our candidate and our party in the election.

“You also know that yesterday, our candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, also congratulated him. I also came to congratulate him for his victory in the election.”

Basiru said the third reason was to appreciate Adeleke for endorsing President Bola Tinubu and to seek greater cooperation ahead of the 2027 presidential election.

According to him, Adeleke had reassured him that he would actively campaign for Tinubu’s re-election, adding that political structures across party lines were already being mobilised to support the President.

“Thirdly, also to thank him for endorsing my leader and our presidential candidate and to say that we are ready to work together to ensure that we deliver Osun massively for President Bola Tinubu,” he said.

Basiru expressed optimism that the combined support of the APC and Accord Party could deliver a massive vote for Tinubu in Osun State, saying both parties had close to one million votes in the recently concluded governorship election.

He said, “Between the Accord and the APC, we have close to one million votes and with the presidential election, I think we should be looking to working together for about 1.5 million votes for President Bola Tinubu.”

The APC national secretary disclosed that efforts were already underway to integrate the Accord Party structure into the Tinubu campaign, stressing that the objective was to build a broad-based coalition across party lines.

He cited developments in states such as Anambra, Rivers and Ekiti as examples of political actors working beyond party affiliations in support of the President.

On the post-election violence in the state, Basiru expressed satisfaction that the situation had subsided, urging political actors and relevant groups to sustain the prevailing peace.

He particularly appealed to members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) to resolve their leadership differences peacefully.

He also called on the people of Osun State to put the election behind them and unite for the development of the state.

“Election has come and gone. All of us belong to this place. We must work to ensure that we have meaningful infrastructure and a good living for the people of Osun,” he said.

Basiru also urged APC members in the state to close ranks and work together towards victory for President Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election.

Reflecting on the governorship election, Basiru admitted that it was painful that Adeleke defeated the APC candidate, noting that he personally campaigned vigorously across several local government areas for Oyebamiji.

He, however, said the election was now a thing of the past and urged all political actors to focus on the unity and progress of Osun State.

“It is very painful for some of us that he defeated our party in the election. I campaigned in at least 12 local governments for my candidate and deployed all resources to ensure that we won the election.

“But that is a thing of the past. Let us work together for the unity and progress of Osun State,” Basiru said.

He recalled President Tinubu’s position that true democrats must be prepared to celebrate victory and accept defeat, stressing that political differences should not be allowed to undermine the development of the state.