Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has addressed growing speculation over his relationship with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, insisting that his support for the President is not the product of any political agreement between them.

Adeleke made the clarification during a live appearance on Sunday Politics, where he was questioned about his political relationship with the President and recent comments that appeared to suggest a possible agreement between the two politicians.

The Osun governor said his position is influenced partly by the fact that Tinubu is a fellow Yoruba man and also by what he considers to be some of the projects and reforms being pursued by the Federal Government.

According to Adeleke, however, there is no political agreement between him and Tinubu.

“There Is No Agreement” — Adeleke

The governor's comments come after Aviation Minister Festus Keyamo congratulated Adeleke following his victory in the Osun governorship election and posted the words:

> “Agreement is agreement.”

The statement immediately generated speculation among political observers and Nigerians on social media, with some interpreting it as an indication that Adeleke and Tinubu may have reached an undisclosed political arrangement.

Adeleke has now rejected that interpretation.

The governor said he has not entered into any agreement with the President and that his willingness to work with the Federal Government should not automatically be interpreted as a political bargain.

For Adeleke, supporting a federal government initiative that benefits Osun State is part of his responsibility as governor.

Adeleke Wants More Federal Projects for Osun

While explaining his position, the governor said he would continue to encourage Tinubu to extend more federal development projects to Osun State.

Road infrastructure was particularly highlighted, with Adeleke indicating that he would welcome greater federal intervention in the state's road network.

His position presents an interesting political balance.

Adeleke remains a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), while Tinubu is the leader of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Despite the difference between their political parties, the Osun governor says cooperation with the Federal Government should not necessarily be viewed through the lens of party rivalry.

The argument is that when federal projects are available to Osun, the state should benefit regardless of the political party controlling the state government.

Working With Tinubu's Allies

Adeleke also indicated that he would be prepared to work with political allies of President Tinubu in Osun State where their activities are aligned with supporting the President and advancing development.

However, he was clear about one point: returning to the APC is not currently part of his plans.

That clarification is significant because political speculation surrounding Adeleke's relationship with the Tinubu administration has intensified following his recent electoral victory.

The governor's willingness to cooperate with the President could easily be interpreted as a movement towards the ruling party, but Adeleke's latest comments suggest that he sees cooperation and party membership as two separate issues.

Politics or Development?

The situation raises an important question about how Nigerian politicians should manage relationships across party lines.

Should a state governor reject federal cooperation simply because the President belongs to another political party?

Or should elected officials put development interests ahead of partisan differences?

Adeleke appears to be choosing the latter approach, arguing that Osun should benefit from federal programmes while he continues to operate politically within his own party.

His comments also come at a particularly important moment in Nigerian politics, with political alignments already beginning to take shape ahead of the 2027 general elections.

For now, Adeleke says there is no political agreement with Tinubu.

But his public willingness to support the President, work with his allies and lobby for more federal projects in Osun is likely to keep political observers watching the relationship closely.

Whether the relationship remains a development-focused working partnership or eventually develops into something politically broader will be one of the questions Nigerians will continue to watch.

For Governor Adeleke, however, the message is straightforward: supporting a federal government's projects does not mean abandoning his political party and cooperation with President Tinubu, he insists, should not automatically be interpreted as a secret political deal.

Southern Report will continue to follow the evolving political relationship between Osun State and the Federal Government.