Adeleke’s Tinubu Endorsement Is in Osun’s Interest, Spokesperson Says

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid should not be viewed as a betrayal by the people of the state, his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, has said.

Rasheed, who serves as Special Adviser and Spokesperson to the governor, said Adeleke had declared his support for Tinubu before his latest electoral victory, stressing that the endorsement was therefore not a reaction to the outcome of the election.

Speaking during an appearance on Arise TV on Tuesday, Rasheed was asked whether Osun residents had reasons to feel disappointed by the governor’s decision to support Tinubu immediately after his victory.

“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,” he said.

According to Rasheed, Adeleke’s support for Tinubu is driven largely by the governor’s desire to attract greater federal investment and development to Osun.

He said the governor had openly explained why he chose to back the president, including the need for more federal presence and the completion of major infrastructure projects.

“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,” Rasheed said.

He cited several federal road projects in the state as evidence of ongoing cooperation, saying construction work had commenced on some of them.

“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.

Rasheed maintained that Adeleke’s decision was based on the interests of Osun residents rather than political opportunism.

“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.

Africans Angle News