Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has criticised Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke for endorsing President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid less than 24 hours after being declared the winner of the state’s governorship election.
Sowore raised concerns over the timing of Adeleke’s endorsement in a post on his official X account on Monday, August 17, 2026, while also questioning the reported deaths and violence that occurred before and during the election.
The activist alleged that nearly 50 people lost their lives in election-related violence and demanded answers over who was responsible, who may have ordered or enabled the attacks, and whether authorities were investigating the deaths.
Sowore also took aim at Adeleke’s decision to back Tinubu, arguing that the governor’s support appeared to be influenced by their shared Yoruba identity. He questioned the political calculations behind the endorsement, particularly given how quickly it followed Adeleke’s electoral victory.
The criticism comes amid heightened political attention following Adeleke’s victory and his subsequent declaration of support for Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
Sowore argued that political agreements should not overshadow the need for accountability for those who lost their lives during the electoral process. He called for investigations into the reported deaths and justice for the affected families.
His comments have added a fresh layer to the political debate surrounding Adeleke’s post-election alignment with Tinubu, as attention shifts from the Osun governorship contest to the wider political realignments ahead of 2027.
