There are ongoing rumours that Gov Ademola Adeleke of Osun State is planning to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reports suggest that the governor, along with his close family and negotiators, is exploring the possibility of joining the APC to secure his position at the Abere Government Secretariat in Osogbo.
However, attempts to finalize this move through meetings with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu have reportedly faced challenges.
Sources indicate that efforts to gain access to the president have been hindered by opposition within the presidency, while others claim that Governor Adeleke’s interactions with the president have not yielded the desired outcomes.
Speaking to Daily Sun, APC chieftain and former Osun State Commissioner for Information, Sunday Akere, alleged that Governor Adeleke has made attempts to secure an automatic return ticket by joining the APC, but these efforts have been unsuccessful
“Membership of a political party is free entry and free exit. APC is an open party. If he wants to join, he’s free but the only thing is that our governorship ticket is not available for take. If he’s joining, he will join as a member not negotiating to pick our ticket,” Akere stated.
He further revealed that the governor has tried multiple times to meet the president, but the condition remains that while he is welcome to join the APC, the governorship ticket is not part of the negotiation.
In response, spokesperson for Governor Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed, dismissed the claims as “fake news from the pit of hell.”
He attributed them to a troubled opposition struggling to field a viable candidate for the 2026 gubernatorial election.
“The report reflects the depth of unelectability of the APC in the 2026 guber election, as the opposition is at a crossroads over acute short supply of electable aspirants,” Rasheed said.
He added that Governor Adeleke remains focused on governance and fostering collaboration with the Federal Government, emphasizing there are no plans for defection to the APC.
Despite these denials, Daily Sun reports that the defection rumors may hold some truth, as individuals close to the presidency have expressed a willingness to consider the move, citing the political adage that “politics is a game of numbers.”
However, opposition within the APC has also raised concerns about the potential risks of accepting Governor Adeleke into the party.
A source within the APC remarked, “If the governor was doing well and truly has what it takes to govern, we won’t have issues with him joining us. But the man is coming with a lot of baggage. Accepting him into APC is like moving with someone with rashes all over the body.”
The defection of Prince Dotun Babayemi and his group to the APC has further heightened tensions, with some seeing it as an indicator of the PDP’s struggles in the state. However, APC insiders insist they do not need Governor Adeleke to secure a victory in Osun.
