The re-election bid of Governor Ademola Adeleke received a huge boost on Tuesday as traditional security outfits and ethnic groups endorsed him as the candidate of choice for the August 15, 2026 governorship election in Osun state.

The endorsement which occurred at an elaborate event in Osogbo, saw the local security and ethnic groups take turns to announce their preference of Governor Adeleke to continue in office beyond November 2026 and vow to vote for him massively and also defend their votes.

In his opening remark, the convener of the event, Chief Lukman Ayodeji (aka Sango of Africa), said the endorsement was marked by the widespread support for the remarkable work that Governor Adeleke is doing, noting that the groups came together to show that the people will always rally behind any leader that delivers for them.

Ayodeji praised Governor Adeleke for restoring faith in governance through high impact deliveries, adding that the past administration neglected the people and drove Osun to the edge with bad governance.

"Indeed, he is Imole (Light) going by how much he transformed Osun, starting with this place (Governor's annex office). People here are declaring their support for him because they have seen the good things he can do and want it to continue," he said.

In his own remark, the representative of Agbekoya in Osun state, Chief Aremu Abiodun said the people trust Governor Adeleke and will reward him with an overwhelming vote in the August 15, 2026 poll.

Chief Aremu acknowledged Governor Adeleke's support for intelligence-led security, which has contributed to ridding the state of security challenges, declaring the resolve of the group to give everything to the re-election bid of the governor.

"Because you protect the land, the land will protect you too. Because you protect the people, the people will stand firmly behind you," he noted, urging members to return home and exercise their voting rights by mobilising at least 10 to 20 people to vote for Governor Adeleke.

"We want him (Governor Adeleke) because he is truthful. He delivered for us and he is our only choice for the governorship poll, the Agbekoya stressed, sealing the endorsement with prayers for the governor.

Speaking in a similar tone, the Association of Hunters in Osun led by Oba Ogunlade Oluwasanjo assured that they are backing the governor for a second term on the strength of his exceptional performance across sectors, vowing that they will resist any attempt to manipulate or rig the upcoming governorship poll.

"All local hunters in Osun are firmly in support of Governor Adeleke and we will vote en enmass," he declared, adding that they are prepared to form a shield against election riggers and safeguard the sanctity of the will of the electorate in the August 15, 2026 poll.

"No one will rig the August 15 governorship poll because it is our constitutional right to decide who leads us. We know our environments very well and will not tolerate any attempt to foist someone on us," he said.

Giving their own endorsement, the Odua Peoples Congress (OPC) through Comrade Kazeem Oriade, said it will work vigorously for the re-election Governor Adeleke, conveying the assurance of its National President, Iba Gani Adams that every necessary support will be accorded the governor to succeed in the poll.

"We will not allow them to steal the vote, rig the elections or hijack the victory of the Governor in the poll," he said

This was followed by the endorsement of the Community Security Initiative (COMSAC) who through its representative, Commander Olabamiji Ayeni, said Governor Adeleke has performed to satisfaction and will be supported to continue the good work.

In their separate words of endorsement, the Hausa and Igbo communities declared their resolve to mobilise their people to vote for the Governor in the August 15 poll, noting that they will not be swayed by empty rhetoric or temporary gift being employed by the opposition to halt the tide of progress Osun is seeing under Governor Adeleke.

Highlight of the event was the moment when convicts that were recently pardoned by Governor Adeleke approached him to appreciate their good gesture and assured him of reciprocating the Governor's leniency for them by mobilising family and friends to vote for him at the poll.

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