By Tolulope Oke

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for a second term was driven by development considerations and long preceded his victory in the August 15 governorship election, his spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, has said.

Rasheed, the governor’s Special Adviser and Spokesperson, said Adeleke’s support for Tinubu should therefore not be interpreted as a political reward following his re-election.

Speaking on Arise TV on Tuesday, he said the governor had openly backed Tinubu while still in the Peoples Democratic Party and maintained the position after moving to the Accord Party.

“When Mr. Governor was within the PDP, the endorsement was announced. When he crossed over to Accord, the endorsement was announced. So the endorsement predates this election victory,” Rasheed said.

Adeleke had publicly reaffirmed his support for Tinubu months before the Osun election, describing the decision as development-driven and in the interest of the state.

Rasheed said Adeleke’s calculation was centred on attracting greater federal presence to Osun and strengthening cooperation with the Federal Government on critical infrastructure.

“The whole world, the political space is aware that Mr. Governor has endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the governor explained the reasons why he’s endorsing.

“He talks about developmental focus. The need to attract federal presence. The need to get most of the roads in Osun’s federal project done, and the need to support a man that is on the seat that can do this for us,” he said.

The spokesman pointed to federal road projects in Osun as evidence of the benefits of the relationship with the Tinubu administration.

He specifically mentioned the Ilesa-Ibadan, Osogbo-Ibadan and Gbongan-Osogbo corridors.

Adeleke had in May praised Tinubu and Works Minister David Umahi following federal approvals for the rehabilitation of key roads, including the Osogbo-Iwo and Gbongan-Akoda-Osogbo routes.

“And as a consequence of that endorsement, Ilesa-Ibadan Road is being worked on. We have Osogbo-Ibadan Road being awarded, the work has started. We have Gbongan to Osogbo already awarded, and so on,” Rasheed said.

He maintained that Osun residents had no reason to feel betrayed by Adeleke’s backing of Tinubu.

According to him, the governor was pursuing what he believed would produce tangible benefits for the people rather than making an opportunistic political move after winning re-election.

“So, the governor is looking at backing the man on the seat for several reasons, and you know this predates our election victory.

“So, I will say people should not feel betrayed. Mr. Governor is only doing the right thing that is in the best interest of Osun people,” Rasheed said.

Following his victory at the polls, Adeleke again reaffirmed his endorsement of Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election and thanked the President for supporting a free and fair governorship contest.