A group of aspirants seeking to contest for seats in the 2027 Osun State House of Assembly has declared support for the second-term bid of Ademola Adeleke, while rejecting alleged plans to grant automatic tickets to incumbent lawmakers ahead of party primaries.

Operating under the platform of the League of 2027 Osun State House of Assembly Aspirants, the group said there is no justification for any arrangement that would deny other party members the opportunity to contest, insisting that democratic principles must be upheld in candidate selection.

In a statement issued Thursday by its chairman, Saheed Afolabi, and publicity secretary, Femi Oluwasanmi, the aspirants said Governor Adeleke’s political background and leadership style do not support undemocratic practices, stressing that any move toward automatic tickets would contradict the political culture of Osun State.

According to the group, Adeleke’s emergence as governor was made possible through strict compliance with constitutional provisions and the Electoral Act, which clearly define eligibility for office and procedures for nominating candidates. They noted that the law guarantees every qualified citizen the right to vote and be voted for.

The aspirants expressed concern over persistent rumours that serving lawmakers may be handed automatic return tickets, describing such speculation as alien to Nigeria’s democratic process and capable of creating internal crisis within the ruling party.

They warned that imposing candidates could weaken party unity and affect electoral chances, citing recent reactions from party members in the Ife federal constituency where similar concerns reportedly triggered protests.

The group recalled that when the issue first surfaced, the state leadership of Peoples Democratic Party dismissed the rumour as baseless. It added that officials of Accord also denied knowledge of any such arrangement during a separate engagement.

The aspirants alleged that the continued spread of the rumour may be an attempt by opposition elements to portray the Adeleke administration as intolerant and anti-democratic.

They, however, reaffirmed confidence in the governor, commending his leadership and urging political stakeholders to resist divisive narratives capable of undermining cohesion ahead of future elections.