The National Coordinator of a support group of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Comrade Yahaya Majeed, has criticised Governor Ademola Adeleke’s decision to endorse President Bola Ahmed Tinubu shortly after his victory in the Osun State governorship election.

Majeed described the endorsement as disappointing, arguing that it raises questions about political loyalty, gratitude and respect for the people of Osun State who, according to him, made significant sacrifices to support Adeleke’s political journey.

Reacting to Adeleke’s post-election victory speech delivered in Osogbo on Sunday, Majeed said the governor’s decision to align with President Tinubu and the ruling political establishment so soon after securing the people’s mandate was an unfortunate development.

He said many Osun residents had made personal and political sacrifices in defence of their democratic choice, while some supporters allegedly endured intimidation, harassment and pressure during the state’s politically charged environment.

“Many Osun people made enormous personal and political sacrifices to defend their democratic choice. Families lost loved ones, individuals abandoned their ambitions, and supporters endured harassment and pressure because they believed in the struggle for a government that truly represents the people,” Majeed said.

He questioned the rationale behind Adeleke’s immediate political realignment, saying it could be interpreted by some supporters as a disregard for those who stood by him during difficult political periods.

“It is therefore difficult to understand how, immediately after receiving the people’s mandate, you could embrace and endorse the political establishment that many of those same people believe has been responsible for the hardship, persecution and violence they suffered,” he said.

Majeed cautioned the governor against using the people of Osun State as instruments for personal political advancement or negotiations.

“Governor Adeleke, the people of Osun must not be used as bargaining chips for personal political advancement or monetary negotiations. The message from the recent election is clear: the people of Osun cannot simply be bought,” he said.

According to him, the outcome of the election demonstrated that financial resources alone cannot determine the choice of voters.

He argued that if money were sufficient to win elections, the All Progressives Congress (APC) would have defeated Adeleke, adding that voters had instead demonstrated their determination to exercise their democratic rights.

“Your victory was therefore not merely a personal political achievement. It was a victory made possible by thousands of ordinary Osun people who believed their votes could make a difference,” Majeed said.

He, however, acknowledged that endorsing a political party or leader remains within Adeleke’s constitutional rights, but stressed that such a personal political decision should not automatically be interpreted as the collective position of Osun voters.

“Endorsing a political party or political leader is your constitutional right. However, your personal political decision does not automatically represent the position of the people of Osun State,” he said.

Majeed further warned that Osun voters would retain the right to make their own political choices ahead of the 2027 elections, regardless of the political alliances formed by the governor.

“If, in 2027, you or anyone else chooses to support President Tinubu or the APC, Osun voters will equally exercise their democratic rights and decide who deserves their votes,” he said.

He said the major lesson from the election was that voters had entrusted Adeleke with political power without surrendering their individual political convictions.

“The people gave you power; they did not surrender their conscience,” Majeed declared.

He also cautioned against the alleged use of financial inducements, political alliances or government resources to influence voters, saying the people would ultimately determine their political future at the ballot box.

“If the Treasury of Osun State is eventually used to advance the political interests of others, the people will still have the final say at the ballot box. They did so against the APC, and they can do so again against anyone they believe has betrayed their trust,” he said.

Majeed urged Adeleke to remember that political power is temporary and that citizens would continue to judge political leaders based on their actions and commitments.

“Governor Adeleke should therefore remember that political power is temporary, but the memory of the people is enduring. Those who sacrificed for his victory deserve appreciation, respect and accountability—not an immediate political realignment that makes their sacrifices appear meaningless,” he said.

He concluded: “Osun belongs to its people. Their votes cannot be bought, their sacrifices cannot be erased, and their political conscience cannot be negotiated away.”