By Ebunoluwa Sessou

A coalition of 112 Yoruba socio-cultural organisations under the umbrella of the Yoruba Rainbow Coalition, YRC, has endorsed Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, for a second term in office and declared its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

The endorsement was announced in a communiqué issued after an emergency meeting of the coalition held in Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Sunday.

According to the coalition, which comprises artisans, market women, professionals and other interest groups, the meeting was convened by the Yoruba Council Worldwide, YCW, under the leadership of His Royal Majesty, Aare Sooko Oladotun Hassan, to deliberate on strategies for promoting peaceful elections, sustainable development and political stability across Yorubaland.

Reading from the communiqué, the coalition said it unanimously resolved to support Governor Adeleke’s re-election bid, citing what it described as his commitment to good governance and adherence to Yoruba values.

“Our position is hinged on the governor’s visible commitment to the people, his adherence to the sacred Omoluabi virtues of humility, integrity, service and respect, and the urgent need to consolidate the foundation that has been laid for our fragile democracy,” the communiqué stated.

The coalition added that continuity in governance would enable the completion of ongoing projects, deepen inclusion for artisans and market women, and ensure that the benefits of governance reach more residents across Osun State.

The YRC also declared its support for President Tinubu’s second-term ambition, saying it believes the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope agenda offers a pathway for national development.

The coalition further commended Governor Adeleke for what it described as his strategic alignment with the Federal Government, expressing optimism that such cooperation would attract more development opportunities and resources to Osun State.

Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the spokesperson of the Yoruba Council Worldwide, Gboyega Adeoye, said the coalition believed the time had come for Yoruba people to unite behind leaders they considered capable of sustaining development.

“At this time when we are bracing for the second tenure of President Bola Tinubu, our people must ensure we put our home in strategic order to bequeath an unforgettable legacy for our nation, Nigeria. The template for a better Nigeria and indeed Osun State has been successfully set, and it is now time for our people to enjoy the dividends,” Adeoye said.

He called on eligible voters in Osun State to support Governor Adeleke in the forthcoming governorship election, urging residents not to allow political sentiments to derail what the coalition described as the state’s developmental progress.

The coalition also reaffirmed its commitment to promoting the Omoluabi ethos and preserving Yoruba cultural values, stressing that leadership at all levels should reflect unity, integrity and service to the people.