#OsunDecides2026 is battle between Adeleke and Tinubu, not APC – Dele Momodu

A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Dele Momodu, has described the August 15 Osun State governorship election as a contest between Governor Ademola Adeleke and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, rather than a direct battle between the incumbent governor and the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Momodu, who is supporting Adeleke despite being a member of the ADC, said his decision was influenced by his commitment to the coalition of opposition parties and his longstanding relationship with the governor.

He made the remarks on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.

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Momodu explained that he joined the ADC because of its advocacy for opposition parties to work together, adding that his support for Adeleke was consistent with that objective.

He said, “When I joined ADC, I joined a party that promoted coalition of opposition parties. So, what I am demonstrating now is that opposition must come together today.”

The publisher of Ovation International said he consulted some party elders before declaring his support for Adeleke, whom he identified alongside the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, as one of the major contenders in the election.

According to him, the political significance of the election extends beyond the candidates and their parties.

He said, “The battle in Osun is not a contest between Adeleke and the APC, it is between Adeleke and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

“APC is no match for Adeleke in Osun, everybody agrees on that. They can make all the noise and all the hulabaloo, but I can tell you today that even the Presidency knows, and I have a lot of friends in APC, they know they cannot match Ademola Adeleke.”

Momodu also cited his personal relationship with Adeleke as another reason for his support, describing the governor as a close friend and “twin brother.”

He said they were born three days apart in May 1960 and had maintained a close relationship over the years.

The ADC chieftain further urged people across political parties to support Adeleke, saying the governor had come under pressure during the election period.

“He’s being bullied, he’s being intimidated, and all men and women of good conscience should rise up whether you are in our party or wherever,” he said.

“Even if I was not in ADC, I would still have supported Ademola. He’s a fantastic soul. Only a wicked man will see the good work he has done in Osun State and ignore it.”

Momodu acknowledged that the ADC has its own candidate, Najeem Salaam, but appealed to the party to allow him to support Adeleke in the election.

“But I’m a democrat. If my party says they are not ready to back him, that is fine. On this occasion, they should please loan me to Ademola Adeleke. I’m begging them to do that,” he said.

The Osun governorship election is scheduled for August 15, with Adeleke of the Accord Party seeking re-election against 13 candidates including Oyebamiji of the APC and Salaam of the ADC.