Osun APC Rejects Governor Adeleke’s Alleged Plan to Join Party

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected claims that Governor Ademola Adeleke is planning to defect to the party, describing the report as false and misleading. In a statement issued by the party leadership, the APC said there are no ongoing talks with Adeleke and dismissed the alleged defection as a desperate political move. The party maintained that no directive had been issued from the national leadership or the Presidency to admit the governor into the APC. It described the claims as a deliberate attempt by Adeleke’s camp to create political confusion in the state. Reacting to the development, former APC National Secretary and chieftain of the party, Senator Iyiola Omisore, cautioned Adeleke against forcing his way into the party, saying the APC is not a platform to be hijacked for personal ambition. He stated that party membership must follow due process and not be imposed from the top. Omisore said the governor’s alleged plans are a result of desperation, noting that the APC has a structure that must be respected. He warned that no one would be allowed to override the will of loyal party members at the grassroots. The Osun Progressive Youth (O-SPY), a youth group within the APC, also rejected the reported defection attempt and called on President Bola Tinubu and national leaders of the party to ignore any pressure to accept Adeleke. The group said Adeleke should remain in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), adding that APC members have worked hard to rebuild the party and will not welcome any move that could disrupt the process. Earlier in the year, the Osun APC had alleged that some party stakeholders were supporting Adeleke secretly. The party warned at the time that it would name and shame those involved if the trend continued. It also reaffirmed that the 2026 governorship ticket of the party is not for sale. Meanwhile, the Osun State chapter of the PDP has reiterated that Governor Adeleke remains a committed member of the party and has no intention of leaving. In a statement released after a recent meeting, the PDP caucus declared that Adeleke would contest the 2026 governorship election under the party’s platform and urged all members to remain loyal and united. As the political atmosphere intensifies ahead of the 2026 elections, both the APC and PDP have made it clear that Governor Adeleke remains with the PDP and that there is no defection plan under consideration.