Oyinlola withdraws Tinubu’s 2027 endorsement, declares support for Makinde

Former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has declared that his endorsement of President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election has expired, signalling a possible shift in political alignments ahead of the next general election.

Oyinlola, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), made the disclosure during an interview on Channels Television, where he was asked whether he still stood by his decision to support Tinubu for a second term.

“It has expired,” the former governor declared.

Oyinlola was among PDP stakeholders in Osun State who endorsed Tinubu on July 20, 2025, in a move that generated considerable political interest and speculation about the implications for the opposition party.

Explaining the circumstances surrounding the endorsement, Oyinlola said the decision was driven by the political and administrative challenges confronting Osun State at the time, particularly the lingering controversy over local government administration and finances.

According to him, the endorsement was a strategic political manoeuvre aimed at attracting presidential intervention to resolve the crisis affecting the state’s local government system.

“Reason being that if you need to catch a monkey, you have to behave like one,” he said.

The former governor explained that the controversy surrounding local government funds and the dispute over the rightful occupants of council offices had created uncertainty, prompting the political stakeholders to seek assistance from the Presidency.

He expressed disappointment that the expected intervention did not materialise, despite the political support extended to Tinubu.

“We have a problem in Osun State. The local government funds are missing. The issue of who the rightful occupants of the local government offices are is not settled, and we believe that it’s within the purview of Mr President to resolve that. But that is not coming,” Oyinlola said.

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He stressed that local governments remained critical to governance because of their proximity to the grassroots, adding that the political arrangement was intended to secure relief for residents affected by the crisis.

The former governor, however, said the endorsement failed to achieve its objectives, forcing him to reconsider his position shortly after the announcement.

“We did not achieve anything, and I exited it almost immediately,” he added.

Oyinlola’s latest declaration comes amid renewed political calculations ahead of the 2027 general election, with opposition figures exploring possible alliances and alternative platforms to challenge the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The former Osun governor has since declared support for Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, who is the presidential candidate  of the Allied Peoples Movement (APM).

His repositioning could further reshape political conversations within the PDP and the wider opposition as preparations gradually intensify for the 2027 electoral contest.