By Peace Udugba
The Deputy Minority Leader of the Senate, Senator Olalere Oyewumi, has said his support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027 was agreed upon by political stakeholders in the Southwest more than a year ago.
Oyewumi, who represents Osun West Senatorial District, said the decision was not a political arrangement reached after the recent Osun State governorship election or an attempt to secure political advantage for Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The senator made the disclosure on Wednesday during an interview on Frontline, a current affairs programme on Eagle 102.5 FM, Ilese-Ijebu, Ogun State.
Oyewumi, who served as Director-General of Adeleke’s campaign organisation during the governorship election, said political stakeholders in the Southwest had resolved to support Tinubu’s second-term bid before the election.
According to him, the decision was based on his assessment of the Federal Government’s performance and its impact on Osun State, rather than ethnic considerations.
“It is a long-time matter. Over a year ago, we decided that we were going to support Mr President, not because he is a Yoruba man, but because, as politicians, some of us have been in this game for a long time,” he said.
Why We Are Supporting Tinubu
Oyewumi said federal infrastructure projects and other developments in Osun State were among the reasons for his support for the President.
He specifically mentioned the Ibadan-Iwo-Osogbo Road, Gbogan-Osogbo Road and the Ibadan-Ikire-Ife-Ilesa Road, which he said had previously posed serious safety concerns to residents and commuters.
The senator recalled that he had raised the condition of the Ibadan-Ikire-Ife-Ilesa Road several times on the floor of the Senate before the chamber eventually supported his motion calling for government intervention.
He said the Federal Government subsequently assured lawmakers that work would commence on the road.
“If you get there now, you’ll be happy. The only thing that we felt for is performance. Forget about who is in government,” Oyewumi said.
He also cited the establishment of a university in Osun State as another development that influenced his decision to support Tinubu.
According to him, political differences should not prevent states from benefiting from federal government projects.
“We are not losing as a state. What the governors wanted, and those of us following, is that Osun State was going to develop from day to day,” he said.
Oyewumi argued that cooperation among the Federal Government, state government and lawmakers was essential for development.
“The government alone cannot do it. The federal alone cannot do it. But we are seeing a synergy in terms of development for the state. We will not play politics of saying we don’t want good things because they are coming from the opposition,” he added.
Adeleke’s Victory Was Based on Performance
Reflecting on the August 15 Osun governorship election, Oyewumi said Adeleke’s victory was largely the result of the governor’s performance in office.
He dismissed comments credited to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, suggesting that the President merely allowed the Accord Party to win the election.
Oyewumi said the result should be judged by the votes cast by the people of Osun State.
“The important thing is that Governor Ademola Adeleke has won the election,” he said.
According to the senator, the election demonstrated that voters would reward governments that deliver tangible projects and services.
“We saw what brought success to Governor Adeleke. It was his superlative performance. He touched everywhere, every sector,” Oyewumi said.
He urged politicians in government to focus on delivering good governance, saying performance remained one of the strongest determinants of electoral success.
‘Nigerians Want Good Governance, Not Endless Politics’
Oyewumi also urged political leaders to prioritise the welfare of Nigerians over personal political ambitions.
He said citizens were more concerned about electricity, water, roads and other basic necessities than the political ambitions of individual politicians.
“Nigeria needs everybody’s hand now. Enough of unnecessary politics,” he said.
“Nigerian people want good life. They want stable electricity. They want to see water. They want to see good roads. They are not so much interested in who governs them now.”
He added: “People are hungry. Let us face the people first and stop talking of I want to be, I want to be, I want to be.”
Oyewumi Accuses Osun APC of Using Tinubu’s Name
On the political situation in Osun State, Oyewumi alleged that some members of the APC had used the President’s name to create confusion during the governorship election.
He also alleged that political influence was used to interfere with security operations in the state.
Oyewumi claimed that security personnel were deployed in ways he considered intimidating during the election period, alleging that soldiers were stationed outside his residence for several hours shortly before the poll.
He said the Adeleke campaign chose not to respond with confrontation but instead mobilised voters to exercise their democratic rights.
“We decided to keep calm because we understand this game. Instead of joining them to that, we went to talk to the people and let them know that their fate is in their hands,” he said.
The senator also criticised the APC leadership in Osun State, accusing some members of lacking political experience and relying excessively on the President’s name.
2027: Oyewumi Says Tinubu’s Support Base Will Go Beyond APC
Looking ahead to the 2027 presidential election, Oyewumi said support for Tinubu would not be restricted to the APC.
He pointed to political figures from opposition parties who, according to him, have expressed support for the President.
“There are so many doors that lead to the presidency. We have our own line. We do our own work. There is no crisis at all,” he said.
Oyewumi said different support groups would be incorporated into the President’s campaign structure ahead of the 2027 election.
He also defended the possibility of political actors supporting Tinubu at the presidential level while belonging to different parties at the state level.
According to him, there was no contradiction between Adeleke’s political position in Osun State and his support for Tinubu at the national level.
‘We Have Started the Reforms, We Can’t Go Back’
Oyewumi said his support for Tinubu was also driven by the need for continuity in government policies and reforms.
“We are not going to be drifting from one place to another. We are not going to be test-running everybody. No. Let us stay put,” he said.
“We have started all these reforms. We are on course. We can’t go back. Then we have to make it work.”
He said the objective should be to ensure that ongoing reforms and development projects deliver lasting benefits to Nigerians before the end of the administration.
Oyewumi maintained that the Osun governorship election had been concluded and that political actors should now focus on governance and the 2027 presidential election.
“What we wanted was to win the election and we have won the election. We move forward,” he said.
He stressed that the ultimate priority should be improving the welfare of Nigerians and ensuring that government at all levels delivers meaningful development to the people.
