Osun Governor Adeleke Denies Defection To ADC, Reaffirms PDP Membership

The Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has debunked claims that he is plotting to defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Wednesday in Osogbo, Adeleke dismissed the speculation as a deliberate attempt to mislead the public and destabilise the political atmosphere in the state.

The governor insisted that he remains a loyal member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and has no intention of joining any other political platform.

Adeleke, who described the speculation as propaganda by political opponents unnerved by his rising popularity, noted that his focus remains on fulfilling his campaign promises and preparing the PDP for the next general elections.

He added that those spreading misinformation were only exploiting his widespread goodwill to create doubt among the electorate.

The clarification comes amid a wave of defections from Osun PDP to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), involving key lawmakers and party leaders.

Despite these challenges, Adeleke stressed that he and PDP leaders in the state are strengthening the party’s structures ahead of next year’s polls.

He urged the public to disregard rumours of defection and continue supporting his administration’s efforts to deliver the dividends of democracy.

The statement read, “Our attention has been drawn to a report that Governor Ademola Adeleke is planning to join the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

“The report is not only untrue but we want to reiterate for the umpteenth time that Governor Adeleke remains committed to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and has no plan whatsoever to join the ADC or any party for that matter.

“Governor Adeleke’s pre-occupation at the moment is the continued delivery of dividends of democracy to Osun people who resoundingly gave him their mandates three years ago.

“Even more, Governor Adeleke and leaders in the PDP have been focused on galvanising the structures of the party for the ongoing voter registration ahead of next year’s election, which he is well-positioned to win.

“Those behind the latest round of misinformation are trying to latch onto the huge goodwill that Governor Adeleke enjoys with the Osun people to sway support. The series of unsolicited endorsements of Governor Adeleke is rattling those afraid of the will of the people,” he added.

Weeks ago, rumours circulated that Governor Ademola Adeleke was considering defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The speculation gained momentum after Adeleke and the leadership caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) reportedly declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027.

However, the move did not materialise, with Adeleke later claiming that certain forces blocked his defection to the APC.

He has since reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP, pledging to contest the next governorship election on the party’s platform.

Meanwhile, the Osun PDP has been battling a wave of defections to the APC.

The trend began when Wole Oke, the lawmaker representing Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency, left the party for the ruling APC.

He was soon followed by two senators, Adenigba Fadahunsi (Osun East) and Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central).

Shortly after, Taofeek Ajilesoro (Ife Central/Ife East/Ife North) and Olusanya Ominrin (Atakunmosa West/Atakunmosa East/Ilesha East) also defected.

Beyond the PDP’s internal leadership crisis, the defectors cited the need to align with President Tinubu’s administration in order to deliver the dividends of democracy to their constituents.