The recent visit of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and members of the Adeleke family to President Bola Tinubu has stirred political debate, fueling rumors of a possible defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial elections.
Photos of the meeting—featuring Governor Adeleke, his elder brother Dr. Deji Adeleke, and music star David Adeleke (Davido)—circulated widely on social media, prompting speculation that the influential Adeleke political family may be reconsidering its allegiance to the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
In response, the Osun State APC swiftly issued a statement distancing the party from the governor. Former Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, stated unequivocally that the APC’s gubernatorial ticket “is not for sale” and denied any affiliation with Governor Adeleke.
“To be clear, as of today, we do not consider Adeleke a member of the APC,” Owoeye asserted. “We believe the Adeleke family’s overtures are driven by political insecurity within the PDP. Come August 8, 2026, we are confident the APC will reclaim leadership in Osun.”
Owoeye also called on APC supporters to remain calm, dismissing any possibility of accommodating the PDP or the Adeleke family within the party.
Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, rejected the defection rumors outright. In an official statement, he described the visit to President Tinubu as a routine courtesy call and reaffirmed Adeleke’s loyalty to the PDP.
“There is no truth to the claims of defection. Governor Adeleke remains a committed member and leader of the PDP in Osun State,” Rasheed stated. “Interpreting the visit as a political maneuver is baseless and misleading.”
The incident has heightened political tension in the state, as both parties prepare for what is expected to be a fiercely contested 2026 election.
ok