Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has clarified that the cross-party coalition backing President Bola Tinubu's re-election is limited to the presidential contest, insisting that it will not extend to legislative elections in the state.
Adeleke made the clarification on Thursday during the inauguration of the Osun State Presidential Campaign Council in Osogbo, which brought together political leaders and members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Accord, and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to mobilise support for Tinubu .
'Rainbow Coalition' Targets Over 1.5 Million Votes
Addressing the gathering, the governor described the alliance as a "rainbow coalition" of political structures across the state, expressing confidence that it would deliver an overwhelming victory for the President. He set a target of more than 1.5 million votes for Tinubu in Osun .
"In this hall is a gathering of who is who in the Osun political terrain. We have all the strikers, the defenders and the midfielders," Adeleke said. "This rainbow coalition of Accord, APC and PDP structures is superbly potent to deliver Osun overwhelmingly to Mr President" .
Legislative Elections Excluded
The governor, however, was quick to draw a line between the presidential arrangement and other contests. He explained that coalition partners remain free to support their respective party candidates in senatorial, House of Representatives, and state House of Assembly elections .
"As coalition partners on the presidential election, we must remind ourselves that the partnership does not extend to the legislative elections," Adeleke stated .
APC Backs Arrangement
APC National Secretary Ajibola Basiru, who spoke at the event, said the campaign for Tinubu's second term had been placed under Adeleke's leadership and coordination in Osun. He urged political stakeholders to respect the President's decision and support the governor regardless of party affiliation or personal ambition .
Basiru also called for unity among Osun residents, attributing improved financial capacity among state governments to Tinubu's economic reforms .
Former Osun governor and pioneer APC National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande, and former APC National Secretary, Senator Iyiola Omisore, also called for unity to ensure Tinubu's victory in the forthcoming presidential election .
Local Government Crisis Nears Resolution
Adeleke also disclosed that discussions between the federal government and the Osun State Government over the state's local government crisis had reached an advanced stage, expressing hope for a resolution soon .
"Discussion has reached an advanced stage. Our dear state should expect good news very soon," he said .
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