By Johnbosco Agbakwuru, ABUJA

President Bola Tinubu on Thursday recieved Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where Adeleke has presented his Certificate of Return to the President following his re-election.

Adeleke, who won his re-election on Saturday, August 15 on the platform of Accord party, arrived at the forecourt of the Villa at exactly 5:25pm.

After the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC had declared Governor Adeleke winner of the governorship election, after polling 511,067 votes to defeat his closest rival, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who scored 444,815 votes.

President Tinubu personally called to congratulate him on his victory.

The President described the outcome as “a fitting assurance that democracy will continue to flourish in our country” and urging the governor to unite Osun residents regardless of their political choices in the election.

Four other officials from Osun State that were spotted arriving at the State House at 5:40 include the Director-General of Adeleke Campaign Council, Senator Lere Oyewumi; member of the Council, Mr Sunday Bisi; Chief of Staff to the Governor of Osun State, Akinleye Kazeem, and Member of the House of Representatives representing the Ede North/Ede South/Egbedore/Ejigbo Federal Constituency of Osun State, Bamidele Salam.

Adeleke won the August 15 governorship election under Accord Party, by a margin of 66,252 votes.

The governor won in 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji secured 11, in what was a keenly contested election that attracted significant political attention across the state.

Adeleke’s victory marked a significant development in Osun politics, particularly following his decision to seek re-election on the platform of the Accord Party after the state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) adopted his candidacy and directed its structures to support his re-election bid.

His meeting with Tinubu is therefore attracting considerable political interest, coming at a time when political realignments are intensifying ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The engagement is also taking place against the backdrop of the President’s recent meetings with political leaders and senior government officials as preparations for the 2027 political season gather momentum.

The Nigerian Democratic Congress, NDC, Director of New Media and Strategic Communications, Theo Abu Agada, has charged the African Democratic Congress, ADC, presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, to step aside from the 2027 presidential race.

Agada said Atiku should step aside from the presidential race and back the NDC’s presidential candidate, Peter Obi.

Posting on X, the NDC chieftain explained that President Bola Tinubu would be booted out of office in 2027 if Atiku steps aside and backs Obi.

The NDC official said stepping aside would not damage Atiku’s legacy but could strengthen the opposition’s chances in 2027.

Agada praised Atiku’s character and vision while maintaining that the time had come for him to step away from presidential ambitions in the interest of the wider opposition.

He wrote: “Every electioneering season. AA is a good and solid man, but he needs to give it up at this point.

“His idea for a working Nigeria is brilliant but at this point, he needs to give up his ambition.

“If he steps aside, nothing is going to affect his sterling legacy. AA should support Obi to kick the APC out.”

This comes as the former vice president declared that the 2027 presidential election would be the last time he would contest, whether he wins or not.

Atiku made the disclosure during a Facebook Live session.

Former presidential aide, Bashir Ahmad, has expressed the optimism that President Bola Tinubu already has the backing of Osun State in the 2027 general elections.
Ahmad made this statement in a post on his verified X handle on Thursday.

This came after Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke on Thursday visited Tinubu alongside other members of the state chapter of Accord Party and presented him his Certificate of Return.

Reacting, Ahmad said, “President Bola Tinubu has Osun on both sides, with the ruling party (Accord) and the main opposition (APC) both firmly within his political orbit.

“For President Tinubu, Osun is already in the bag. The political dynamics in the state have already pointed in one direction, the Renewed Hope and victory in 2027.”

DAILY POST reports that Adeleke won the August 15, 2026 election after polling 511,067 votes against his opponent, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress, APC, who polled 444,815 votes.