Osun people shouldn’t feel betrayed by Adeleke’s endorsement of Tinubu — Aide + Video

Olawale Rasheed, the Special Adviser and Spokesperson to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has urged the people of Osun State not to feel betrayed by the governor’s endorsement of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid because the decision is purely focused on attracting federal development to the state and long preceded his victory in the August 15 governorship election.

Rasheed, on an Arise TV appearance on Tuesday, said Adeleke had openly backed Tinubu while still in the Peoples Democratic Party and maintained the position after moving to the Accord Party.

He declared that the governor’s support for Tinubu should therefore not be interpreted as a political reward following his re-election.

“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 added that Adeleke had explained his reasons for backing the president, citing the need for development in 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 listed ongoing federal road projects in the state as evidence of the dividends of the governor’s endorsement, noting that work had commenced on some of the roads.

“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.

He maintained that Governor Adeleke’s decision to back Tinubu was in the interest of Osun people and should not be misconstrued as opportunistic.

“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.