Special Adviser and Spokesperson to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed, has explained why residents of the state should not feel betrayed by the governor’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid.

Rasheed said Adeleke’s endorsement for Tinubu was not a decision taken after his victory in the Osun State governorship election, stressing that the governor had endorsed the President before the election.

He made this known while featuring on Arise TV on Tuesday, where he was asked whether Osun residents should be disappointed by Adeleke’s decision to endorse Tinubu shortly after winning the election.

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“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.

He explained that Adeleke had earlier stated his reasons for supporting Tinubu, including the need to promote development and attract more federal attention to Osun State.

“So 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.

Rasheed also pointed to ongoing federal road projects in the state, saying the projects showed some of the benefits of the governor’s engagement with the Federal Government.

“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,” he said.

The governor’s spokesperson rejected the suggestion that Adeleke’s decision was opportunistic, maintaining that the endorsement was made with the interests of Osun residents in mind.

“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,” he said.