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Governor’s spokesman denies, describes report as ‘delusionary’, as APC ripostes ‘our ticket not for negotiation’
There are indications that Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke is perfecting plans to dump his ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the All Progressives Congress (APC) as the 2026 governorship race gathers momentum.
And tension is building up in both camps – the ruling Osun State PDP’s and that of the main opposition party, the APC, over the alleged move.
The move, to which only the immediate family of the Adelekes and their “negotiators” are currently privy, is aimed at ensuring a smooth sail for Adeleke, who is desirous of retaining his seat at the Abere Government Secretariat, Osogbo.
Governor Adeleke is believed to be fraternising with the presidency in consideration of joining the APC.
But efforts to meet with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at several occasions, have, with a view to sealing the “deal” have however, not yielded positive results as some people at the presidency are reportedly denying the Governor from having access to President Tinubu, while some other sources said Governor Adeleke’s meeting with President Tinubu has not been favourable to him (Adeleke).
A chieftain of the APC and former Commissioner for Information in the state, Sunday Akere, said attempts have been made by Adeleke to join APC so as to have automatic return ticket, but all to no avail, according to a Daily Sun report.
Akere said the condition for negotiation could not be met because Governor Adeleke cannot get an automatic ticket of the APC, stressing Adeleke would be allowed to join the APC if he’s not insisting on having the party’s automatic ticket.
“Membership of a political party is free entry and free exit. It is for anybody that wants to join. APC is an open party. If he wants to join, he’s free but the only thing is that our governorship ticket is not available for take. If he’s joining, he will join as a member, not negotiating to pick our ticket. Every other person that has joined at the national level, they have been accommodating them.
“If the Governor wants to join today, we would accommodate him but our ticket is not available for anybody to pick up.
“He has made more than three efforts to see the president but the condition is that he’s free to join but the ticket is not available for negotiation. They have been making the efforts for more than one year but the president has said the ticket can not be used for negotiation,” Akere said.
But, the spokesperson to Governor Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed, described as “fake news from the pit of hell” claims that the Governor has made several attempts to join the ruling party at the federal level.
He said it is “a delusionary report which is a product of troubled opposition that has the challenge of who to field against the Governor in 2026.
“The report reflects the depth of unelectability of the APC in the 2026 guber election, as the opposition is at a crossroads over acute short supply of electable aspirants. The opposition has noticed the futility of fielding the former Governor, confused over the cantankerous nature of Senator Ajibola Bashiru.
“By the fake reports, the opposition is indirectly preparing for the possibility and eventuality of a second term win for the state Governor. The ‘Imole’ winning signal must have become so clear that the state APC is surrendering to the reality that God, the people and even federal authorities have affirmed the re-election of Mr Governor, even before 2026.
“I will put on record that Governor Adeleke has never at any time hosted any meeting on defection either within or outside the country.
“Mr Governor enjoys the confidence of the presidency and top federal officials because he concentrates on good governance delivery and patriotic collaboration with the Federal Government on federal- national programmes. As a State Governor, he prioritises positive partnership for service delivery instead of political bickering which retards rather than advances development.
“Mr Governor is also a passionate believer that President Bola Tinubu must succeed in his efforts to reform the national economy for several reasons. We all know that the success of President Tinubu is the success of all Yoruba sons and daughters as well as of all patriotic Nigerians. So, supporting the president is a national duty as far as Governor Adeleke is concerned. There is however no plan whatsoever by the Governor to defect to the APC,” Rasheed
Despite Rasheed’s denial, however, there are indications that the move is real, as those around the president are already mouthing the slogan “politics is a game of numbers,” indirectly giving a tacit approval to the move.
On the other hand, there would appear to be a counterforce from within the APC, which has believedly reached out to President Tinubu to explain the dangers of accepting the Osun Governor into its fold.
“If the Governor was doing well and truly has what it takes to govern, we won’t have issues with him joining us. But the man is coming with a lot of baggage. You know, accepting him into APC, is like moving with someone with rashes all over the body? Would you count such a development as being positive? With the defection of Prince Dotun Babayemi and his group to APC, the PDP knows their end is near, this is why the governor is desperate. But we don’t need them to win Osun, and this much we told the president,” the source said.
