A growing sense of fear and confusion is spreading within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State following reports that Governor Ademola Adeleke may be planning to leave the PDP for the APC.
Several of Adeleke’s allies, including cabinet members and political aides, have said that the governor is seriously considering the move. A commissioner, two special advisers, and other close associates have revealed that discussions are ongoing and plans are close to being finalized. However, the governor has publicly denied any plan to leave his party.
The rumor first gained traction in June when Adeleke, along with his brother, billionaire businessman Dr. Deji Adeleke, and his nephew, music star Davido, visited President Bola Tinubu at his Lagos home. Although no official reason was given for the meeting, the photos sparked speculation within political circles.
Following that visit, a number of Adeleke’s aides began sharing cryptic posts on social media. A Senior Special Assistant to the governor, Oladele Bamiji, shared the slogan “On Your Mandate!” on Facebook — a phrase strongly linked with Tinubu. That post attracted attention and triggered debates among supporters of both parties.
A source in the APC confirmed that Adeleke has been reaching out to senior APC figures but noted that his entry depends on approval from top leaders like former governor Gboyega Oyetola and Bisi Akande. The source added that while consultations are ongoing, a final decision would need President Tinubu’s blessing.
One of Adeleke’s aides said the ongoing crisis in the Osun PDP and the release of the 2026 governorship election timetable are key reasons the governor is weighing his options. He said there are concerns that the internal conflict could affect Adeleke’s re-election chances and possibly lead to legal challenges.
In a related development, another aide, Olalekan Badmus, posted that consultations were still ongoing, and nothing had been decided. “Governor Adeleke is currently consulting and evaluating all options on the table, including the peculiarities of all current political parties,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Sources have also revealed that President Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and some members of the President’s family are playing a role in convincing Adeleke to switch camps.
In response, the governor’s spokesman, Olawale Rasheed, said Adeleke remains committed to the PDP and is not joining any other party. He also described the defection reports as “fake news” and urged the people to focus on governance.
The APC National Secretary, Ajibola Basiru, and the Osun APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, also said they were unaware of any defection plans. Olabisi added that only the party’s leadership can comment on whether Adeleke would be welcomed.
Meanwhile, some APC members in Osun have expressed opposition to granting Adeleke an automatic ticket if he joins the party. A protest was held at the APC state secretariat in Osogbo, where members led by Taofeek Afolabi insisted that Adeleke must go through a proper primary like other aspirants.
A former Deputy Publicity Secretary of the PDP, Diran Odeyemi, said it’s normal for politicians to realign when necessary. He noted that the goal is to win elections, and strategies can be adjusted to achieve that.
However, an aide to ex-Governor Oyetola, Jamiu Olawumi, said party membership does not guarantee acceptance. He stressed that serious politicians should not pay attention to rumors.
Osun APC governorship aspirants like Dotun Babayemi and Akin Ogunbiyi said they are not bothered by Adeleke’s possible defection. Babayemi said it would only strengthen the party’s position, while Ogunbiyi described the APC as a “winning team” attracting many new members.
There are also signs that Adeleke’s possible defection may affect other PDP leaders in Osun. Two senators from the state — Adenigba Fadahunsi and Olubiyi Ajagunla — have reportedly finalized plans to leave the party after meeting with President Tinubu in Abuja. One aide said Ajagunla’s decision was influenced by his dissatisfaction with how the Adeleke-led government has handled development in his hometown.
