- What City People Found Out
- Details Of Their Gentleman’s Agreement
As the August 15 Osun elections draw close there are strong indications that Pres. Bola Tinubu has a soft-spot for Osun governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke.
City People can authoritatively reveal that the President likes Adeleke and both have agreed to work together in both the 2026 and 2027 elections. This has not gone down well with the Osun APC leaders who are between Adeleke and the President.
We gathered that since last year, the leadership of Osun APC had made frantic moves to get the President to have a change of mind about Adeleke, all to no effect.
The President’s position has always remained the same. He wants the APC to work with Adeleke to ensure a resounding victory for him in Osun. His analysis is simple. Let Adeleke cross-over to APC and work for him. The President believes that in Politics, the more the merrier.
He also believes that Adeleke can stay on his party and still work for him in 2027 like one South West governor did in 2023.
But Osun APC leaders are opposed to this idea. They have repeatedly told the President that they can win Osun elections whether Adeleke supports them or not. Their analysis is that Adeleke knows he will lose and that’s why he is desperate to cross over to APC.
But the President, a Master strategist is not ready to take chances. There are 2 elections before him in Osun, the first which is the Governorship in August and the Presidential in early 2027.
He wants to win both. And he knows the best way to go about it is to co-opt Adeleke into the game plan.
For him, it is a Win-Win situation.
City People gathered that despite the fact that the Osun APC leadership are not in support of his strategy, he has not let go.
We gathered that both the President & Governor Adeleke have entered into a Gentleman’s agreement for the Presidency to allow Adeleke free hand to contest the elections, without any interference from Abuja and in turn Adeleke will also support the President come 2027.
A recent revelation by Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, one of the Osun APC guber aspirants that the President told them that he wasn’t interested in the governorship further corroborated the view that he has a lot of sympathy for Adeleke.
City People gathered that the President has done his own investigations and found that Governor Adeleke is quite strong and popular in Osun and that it will be an uphill task to dislodge Adeleke.
So, he believes that it is safer for him to work with him for easy victory. Gov. Adeleke in turn has agreed and promised to support Pres. Tinubu’s 2nd term bid. And he has started doing that.
A couple of times he has been spotted in the President’s Aso-Ebi outfits and he has always spoken positively about Mr. President.
In Osun State today, one conversation keeps coming up in markets, civil service offices, town halls, and even among young people on the streets — many residents are openly expressing support for the return of Governor Ademola Adeleke for a second term.
Unlike the usual political rhetoric that often surrounds re-election bids, this growing sentiment appears to be rooted in what many describe as visible governance and direct impact on everyday life. City People reporter, Jamiu Abubakar, on a short visit to Osun State took time out to observe what Osun people are saying about the candidature of the incumbent. Optics across Osogbo, Ilesa, Ede, Ikirun, and other parts of the state reveal that the push for Adeleke’s return is being driven by a mix of infrastructure renewal, improved welfare, and a renewed sense of government presence at the grassroots.
One of the first things many residents point to is the noticeable transformation in infrastructure. Across major towns and rural communities, roads that were once in poor condition are now being rehabilitated, while new ones are under construction. From Osogbo to Ikirun and Ilesa axis, transporters and traders say movement has become easier, cutting travel time and boosting local commerce. In several communities, the installation of transformers and rural electrification projects has also improved daily living conditions. For many, these developments are not abstract government claims — they are changes they see and experience daily.
Another major factor behind the growing support is the improved welfare of workers and retirees.
For years, issues around unpaid salaries, half salaries, and pension arrears dominated public discourse in Osun. Today, many civil servants say the situation has changed significantly. Regular salary payments and the settlement of pension backlogs have restored confidence in government.
Retirees, who once protested over unpaid entitlements, are now among those quietly advocating continuity, saying they want stability rather than a return to uncertainty.
Governor Adeleke’s performance in healthcare delivery has also played a key role in shaping public opinion.
Residents across the state speak of free medical outreach programmes that have reached thousands, especially in rural areas where access to healthcare was previously limited. Primary health centres have seen improvements, and more people are being enrolled in health insurance schemes. For low-income earners, this has made a real difference, reducing the burden of medical expenses.
Beyond infrastructure and welfare, Adeleke’s administration has invested in grassroots empowerment.
Through cooperative funding, small business owners and artisans have received financial support to expand their trades. Many beneficiaries say these interest-free loans have helped them stay afloat in a difficult economic climate. In rural communities, direct funding of local projects has also given residents a sense of inclusion, as development is no longer seen as limited to major cities.
Education and Youth Development
In the education sector, the construction of new classrooms and improvements in learning facilities are gradually changing the narrative.
Students and Parents alike acknowledge efforts to create a better learning environment, while youth-focused initiatives and digital reforms are opening up new opportunities. For a state with a large youthful population, these steps are seen as investments in the future.
Another point often highlighted by analysts is the state’s improved financial management. An increase in internally generated revenue and efforts to reduce debt have strengthened Osun’s fiscal position. While these may not be immediately visible to the average citizen, they contribute to the sustainability of ongoing projects and programmes.
Perhaps one of Adeleke’s strongest political advantages is his perceived closeness to the people.
Unlike the distant image often associated with political office holders, many residents describe him as approachable and responsive. His engagement with communities and willingness to listen have helped build trust, particularly at the grassroots level.
For many supporters, the call for a second term is not just about past achievements but about the future.
Across the state, several projects are still ongoing — from road construction to water schemes and digital reforms. The belief among many residents is that continuity will ensure these initiatives are completed and sustained. There is also a concern that a change in leadership could disrupt the current momentum.
However, not everyone is fully convinced. Opposition voices argue that some projects are yet to be completed and question the long-term sustainability of certain policies. Others believe more needs to be done to ensure even development across all local governments.
These concerns, though present, have not significantly diminished the visible support in many parts of the state.
From infrastructure upgrades and improved worker welfare to healthcare access and grassroots empowerment, the Adeleke administration has created a level of impact that many residents can relate to. This combination of visibility, accessibility, and direct benefits explains why a growing number of Osun indigenes are saying, in clear terms, that they want Governor Ademola Adeleke back.
For them, it is less about politics and more about continuity of a system they believe is working.
– Jamiu Abubakar
