Agreement Is Agreement’: Adeleke Says He Never Reached a Deal With Tinubu

‘Agreement Is Agreement’: Adeleke Says He Never Reached a Deal With Tinubu

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has said he never reached any political agreement with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that his support for the President is based on their shared Yoruba and South-West identity.

Adeleke clarified the statement made by Festus Keyamo SAN, the Minister of Aviation and Aerospace, while speaking on the outcome of the recently concluded Osun State governorship election, amid discussions over his relationship with the President at Channels Television’s Programme Sunday Politics.

“I never reached an agreement with President Tinubu. My support is just based on the fact that he is a Yoruba man and he’s from the South West,” Adeleke said.

Adeleke, however, described Tinubu as a father figure and disclosed that the President called him during the election to ask about the progress of the exercise.

“The President is like a father to me. I’m like his son. When he called me yesterday, he asked me how the election was going. I told him, ‘Your son is cruising to victory, sir,’” he said.

The governor also appealed to Tinubu not to forget the South-West in the execution of federal road projects, urging the President to ensure the region benefits from ongoing infrastructure development.

On his legal dispute with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the freezing of the Osun State Government’s account, Adeleke disclosed that he had instructed his Attorney-General to discontinue the case.

“I have instructed my Attorney-General to drop it. Mr President has done well. He called me. What more do I want?” he said.

“I’m a very peaceful person. I told my people not to retaliate. They destroyed my billboards all over. It is not billboards that will bring the vote; it is the people,” the governor stated.

Adeleke also rejected the description of Osun as an “Adeleke dynasty,” saying his family’s political influence reflected the people’s acceptance.

“I’m not the one that made it. It’s the Osun people that want us,” he said.

The governor described his victory as a victory for democracy and the people of Osun, saying voters had recognised his administration’s achievements in infrastructure, education, agriculture and other areas.

“This is a victory for the people of Osun who have stood by me and acknowledged the work I have done. They recognise the dividends of democracy in Osun in terms of infrastructure, improved education, agriculture and much more,” Adeleke said.

He described the victory as a gesture of appreciation from the people and promised to repay their confidence by transforming Osun from a civil-service state into a fully developed commercial state.

Adeleke also said he expected the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, to call and congratulate him, noting that President Tinubu had already congratulated him.

Meanwhile, the governor celebrated his victory with a dance during his live interview on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics.

– Newsleverage