The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has claimed that Governor Ademola Adeleke attempted to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, but was unsuccessful due to conditions set by the party’s national leadership.
The APC made the allegation in a statement signed by its Director of Media, Kola Olabisi, referencing comments by Governor Adeleke during a PDP stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo, where he denied any plans to leave the party. According to the APC, the governor was being dishonest and had previously made “desperate attempts” to join the opposition, allegedly including a covert visit to APC chieftain Chief Bisi Akande in Ibadan.
The statement described Adeleke’s alleged failed defection as comparable to “a promiscuous housewife” whose secrets are no longer hidden, and accused the governor of omitting the full story when speaking to PDP leaders, including former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and other top stakeholders. The APC also claimed Adeleke was denied an automatic governorship ticket as a condition for joining the party.
In response, the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, dismissed the APC’s claim as “hallucination,” insisting that Adeleke has never considered leaving the PDP. He said the governor, who defeated an incumbent in 2022 and has since received widespread acclaim for his performance, has no need to switch parties to secure a second term.
Rasheed stated, “Governor Adeleke enjoys massive public support, with over 80% job approval, and has delivered results in less than three years that the APC couldn’t achieve in twelve. Claims of defection are fabricated distractions from the APC’s internal crisis and declining influence in the state.”
He added that the APC was “rattled” by Adeleke’s popularity, especially following recent endorsements by workers during Workers’ Day celebrations.
“Governor Adeleke remains focused on delivering good governance and protecting Osun from destabilizing political forces. He is firmly committed to the PDP, the platform that is transforming the state,” the statement concluded.