2027 Elections: Why Osun State is a Must-Win for Tinubu’s Reelection

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has begun active on-the-ground high-level political engagements in Osun State to secure a critical victory for President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 reelection campaign.

During a strategic meeting in Osogbo on Sunday, APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru met with Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to solidify the state’s political alignment. The agenda was singular and focused: delivering Osun State for the President in the upcoming general elections.

Adeleke Reaffirms Alignment with Tinubu

Governor Adeleke, who previously declared his support for the President following his August 20 governorship victory, doubled down on his commitment during the meeting. Speaking to the APC scribe, Adeleke emphasized that his endorsement of President Tinubu remains unwavering.

“When I announced my support and endorsement of the President, I meant what I said,” Adeleke stated. “I don’t make empty promises, and I don’t play games.”

The Governor also shared a pivotal moment from the lead-up to the August 20 state election, recalling how the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) froze the state government’s accounts.

“The President called me personally and said, ‘Look, I am not aware of that, and I am going to do something about it immediately,'” Adeleke revealed. He further noted that Tinubu highlighted a deep-rooted historical tie, mentioning that his relationship with the Adeleke family dates back to the Third Republic when the late Adeleke patriarch was governor and Tinubu served in the Senate.

Why Osun is a Must-Win for Tinubu in 2027

Securing Osun State is a vital piece of President Tinubu’s broader 2027 re-election strategy.

Heading into the next election cycle, the President faces a fractured Southern vote bank, heavily threatened by Peter Obi of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC). Obi maintains an immense foothold across the South-East and South-South regions, creating a massive hurdle for the ruling party.

In the previous election, Obi swept all five states in the South-East, captured three of the six South-South states, and famously defeated Tinubu in his traditional stronghold of Lagos.

To offset these losses and secure a path to victory in 2027, President Tinubu must consolidate an absolute majority in his home region of the South-West. This makes flipping Osun State—a territory he previously lost in 2023 to PDP candidate Atiku Abubakar—an absolute priority for the APC machinery.