The Governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, has firmly dismissed claims made by the All Progressives Congress (APC) that he attempted to defect to the party.
According to APC’s recent statement, Adeleke’s alleged defection effort failed due to conditions imposed by the party’s national leadership.
However, Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, refuted these allegations, stressing that the governor has never considered leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Governor Adeleke addressed the matter during a meeting with key members of the PDP in Osogbo, where he reassured them that he was not considering any form of defection.
In his response, he dismissed the rumors surrounding his supposed move to the APC as “fake news” originating from individuals intimidated by his successes in leading Osun State.
APC’s state chapter, in a statement issued by its Director of Media, Kola Olabisi, claimed that Adeleke had attempted to join the APC but failed due to conditions set by the national leadership of the party.
The APC also questioned the governor’s honesty, suggesting that he had failed to disclose his alleged defection attempts to PDP stakeholders. The statement even likened his situation to that of a secretive housewife whose actions are known to others.
The APC also pointed to an incident where Governor Adeleke allegedly visited Chief Bisi Akande in Ibadan, seeking to join the party. They claimed this was part of an effort to secure a position within the APC, which ultimately did not materialize.
The APC claimed that the national leadership had set conditions that would require Adeleke to “queue up” for a governorship ticket, which they argued he was unwilling to accept.
However, in a strong rebuttal, Olawale Rasheed emphasized that Governor Adeleke has been focused on fulfilling his duties as governor since taking office in 2022. He noted that the governor’s administration has made significant progress in the state, gaining recognition from local, national, and international bodies, including federal agencies.
He said, “With such a record, he has no need to defect to secure victory in 2026. The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) must be hallucinating with its claim of a failed defection bid. At no time, past or present, has Governor Ademola Adeleke negotiated or considered defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
“In over two years of governance, the Governor has not attended any meeting where defection was discussed or considered. Such an idea has never been and will never be on the table. A performing Governor who has achieved in under three years what the APC could not deliver in twelve, and who enjoys overwhelming support from the people, has no need for a party widely criticized and rejected in Osun due to its past failures and current disarray.
“With over 80 per cent job approval, and with visible impact across all sectors and regions of the state, Governor Adeleke was recently endorsed for a second term by Osun workers on Workers’ Day. He has no reason to join a party plagued by internal strife and leadership crises.
“We view the APC’s recent claim as a diversionary tactic aimed at masking its internal troubles. The party is reeling from self-inflicted damage, with its own members now exposing internal secrets that reflect a legacy of poor governance, divisive politics, and anti-people policies.”
“Let it be put on record: Governor Adeleke’s focus remains on protecting Osun State from desperate politicians determined to destabilise the state in their bid for power. Governor Adeleke has no regrets in defeating those bent on creating anarchy. His administration will continue to prioritise stability, development, and good governance.
“We urge the Osun APC to focus on its internal implosion and face its reality. Governor Adeleke remains committed to the PDP, the platform that is lifting Osun to new heights of progress,” the statement added.
