Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has made a startling political allegation, claiming that President Bola Tinubu personally directed a former political chieftain to facilitate his defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to the governor, his move into the ruling party was ultimately sabotaged by two prominent APC leaders in the state.

Speaking on the matter, Governor Adeleke stated that the President had specifically asked an individual identified as Oyegbola to allow him into the APC. He quoted the President as acknowledging his popularity and strong grassroots support as key reasons for wanting him in the party. The governor suggested that this directive came from the highest level of the APC hierarchy, indicating a planned realignment that never materialized.

However, Adeleke claimed that the plan was frustrated by former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola and another party figure, Gboyega. According to the governor, these two individuals actively blocked his movement into the APC, preventing what he described as a political merger that would have significantly altered the state’s political landscape.

He did not provide specific details on how the blockage was executed but maintained that their opposition was the sole reason he did not join the ruling party.

The revelation has raised fresh questions about the internal dynamics of Osun politics and the relationship between Governor Adeleke and President Tinubu, despite their belonging to different political parties. Political observers note that if the claim is true, it would suggest a high-level attempt by the President to co-opt a popular opposition figure, a move that was later overruled by regional party loyalists.

As of press time, neither former Governor Oyetola nor the mentioned party leader, Gboyega, has issued an official response to Governor Adeleke’s allegations.

The claims are expected to generate further debate within the state’s political circles as the governorship election cycle approaches.