Osun poll: It’s Adeleke against Tinubu, not APC – Momodu
August 12, 2026 8:01 pm
Ademola Adeleke and Dele Momodu. Photo: Sahel Standard
A chieftain of the African Democratic Congress, Dele Momodu, has said the August 15 Osun State governorship election is not a contest between Governor Ademola Adeleke and the All Progressives Congress, but between the incumbent and President Bola Tinubu.
Momodu, who is backing Adeleke despite his membership of the ADC, said he decided to support the incumbent governor as part of his commitment to the coalition of opposition parties.
The ADC chieftain stated this on Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today.
Momodu explained that he joined the ADC because of its plan to unite opposition parties, arguing that his support for Adeleke was consistent with the coalition’s 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.”
Momodu said he had consulted some party elders before declaring his support for Adeleke, adding that he considered the incumbent and the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, the two major contenders in the election.
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.”
The publisher of Ovation International magazine said his decision was also influenced by his long-standing relationship with Adeleke, whom he described as a close friend and “twin brother.”
Momodu said he and Adeleke were born three days apart in May 1960 and had remained close over the years.
He added that Adeleke was being “bullied” and “intimidated”, urging people across political parties to support the governor.
“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 had its own candidate, Najeem Salam, in the election, but appealed to the party to allow him to support Adeleke.
“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 Accord Party seeking re-election against candidates including Oyebamiji of the APC and Salam of the ADC.
Saheed is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over two years of experience covering metro, technology, sports, politics, and human-interest stories. He focuses on producing clear, engaging reports across diverse beats. Saheed’s work reflects hands-on newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate and balanced journalism.
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