Adeleke Denies Seat-Sharing Deal with Osun APC, Says Accord Candidates Will Contest 2027 Elections

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has denied entering into an agreement to share legislative and local government positions with the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting that his political cooperation with supporters of President Bola Tinubu is limited to the 2027 presidential election.

Adeleke’s position was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, following social media reports alleging that an arrangement between the governor and the Presidency involved sharing local government positions, Senate seats, House of Representatives seats and State House of Assembly positions between the Accord Party and the Osun APC.

The governor described the reports of a seat-sharing agreement as fabrication, maintaining that candidates seeking legislative positions would have to compete in the forthcoming elections.

He reaffirmed his commitment to Tinubu’s re-election bid but said the political cooperation did not extend to an agreement on the distribution of legislative seats.

According to the statement, Adeleke intends to support Accord Party candidates contesting elections to the Senate, House of Representatives and Osun State House of Assembly.

He also urged political parties to campaign for their respective candidates, stressing that the electorate would ultimately determine the winners.

The clarification comes amid negotiations aimed at resolving the prolonged dispute over local government administration in Osun State.

Adeleke said the negotiations were intended to protect the interests of APC chairpersons and elected PDP chairmen and councillors, rather than establish an arrangement for sharing political offices.

He added that restoring grassroots governance was a condition for a successful political campaign ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The governor expressed confidence that the local government crisis would be resolved before the end of 2026, although the statement did not provide a specific date or outline the details of a final settlement.

The dispute over local government administration has remained a significant political issue in Osun, with competing interests surrounding the control of council secretariats and the recognition of local government officials.

Adeleke’s latest clarification separates his support for Tinubu’s presidential ambition from the contest for legislative positions, which he said would remain open to candidates seeking the electorate’s mandate.