Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
A fierce war of words has erupted on social media following Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke's decision to endorse President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, with social media influencer and human trafficking survivor Izzy Ogbeide launching a blistering attack on the governor for what she described as a betrayal of those who stood by him during the governorship election. In a video posted on her Instagram handle, Ogbeide questioned why Adeleke would thank and endorse Tinubu after the political tensions that surrounded the Osun election, including the deployment of federal might that many believed was aimed at unseating him.
Ogbeide's criticism zeroed in on what she described as the contradictions between Adeleke's actions and the concerns raised by his camp during the campaign. "So if you thank him for free and fair election, why did he send 32 governors? What was that scarecrow wey Davido pull for social media, what was all that about?" she asked. She also referenced comments attributed to Afrobeats superstar Davido, Adeleke's nephew, who had reportedly said during the election period that he would no longer endorse any presidential candidate and had also criticised Senate President Godswill Akpabio. "He said 'we are not endorsing any President again', he called out Akpabio as well, what was all that?" Ogbeide questioned.
The social media influencer took particular issue with Adeleke's decision to appreciate people she believed had worked against him during the governorship contest. "So after you survived that storm, the next thing was to go thank the people that planned against you?" she asked. She further accused Adeleke of putting political interests ahead of the people of Osun, arguing that the governor had used the electorate as instruments in his political battles. "You don't care about the people, what do you take the people for? You used the people to play politics that openly and disrespectfully," she said. Ogbeide also questioned the governor's decision to endorse Tinubu, who is not a member of Adeleke's Accord Party, for the 2027 presidential election.
The backlash comes after Adeleke, who was declared the winner of the August 15 governorship election with 511,067 votes, publicly reaffirmed his endorsement of Tinubu during an interview on Channels Television's Sunday Politics. The governor explained that his decision to back Tinubu was based on the President being a Yoruba man from the South-West, and that he wanted to encourage the President to continue development projects in the region. "No, I never reached agreement with Mr President. My support is just based on, he's a Yoruba man, and he's from the South-West, and I believe that all the federal roads that he has started, I want to encourage him not to forget the South-West too," Adeleke said.
Adeleke's endorsement has also drawn criticism from other quarters. The Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC) described the governor's pledge as "premature" and reflective of the interests of the political elite, questioning whether such an endorsement was consistent with the sacrifices made by those who supported his re-election, particularly those who lost their lives in the struggle surrounding the election. "If you think of those who died in the process to ensure that he gets the victory he desired, is he saying that they should die in vain?" the NDC spokesperson asked. Meanwhile, human rights activist Omoyele Sowore also criticised Adeleke for endorsing Tinubu less than 24 hours after winning the governorship election.
Adeleke has, however, insisted that his support for Tinubu is not tied to any political bargain. He maintained that he was prepared to work with members of the APC, including his defeated governorship opponent, Bola Oyebamiji, and former Osun governor Gboyega Oyetola, if that would contribute to Tinubu's campaign. "Whenever Mr President, when it's time for him to campaign and all that, whatever how he wants me to come in, I will do it," Adeleke said.
Ogbeide's criticism has struck a chord with many Nigerians on social media, with some supporters of the governor expressing disappointment over his decision to endorse Tinubu. One X user wrote: "I thought this man had sense. What is this for God's sake? Governor Ademola said he's supporting Tinubu because he's a Yoruba man. That's very embarrassing & I am so disappointed. He just disgraced all the people that stood for him during the election." As the political realignments ahead of the 2027 presidential election intensify, Ogbeide's question—"why thank those who planned against you?"—continues to resonate with many who see Adeleke's endorsement as a betrayal of the very people who fought to keep him in power.
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