Osun APC Rejects Governor Adeleke’s Defection Bid, Citing Liability Concerns.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has firmly rejected an alleged attempt by Governor Ademola Adeleke to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), labelling him a “political liability” whose inclusion would damage the party’s reputation. The statement, issued on Wednesday by Osun APC Chairman Tajudeen Lawal, comes amid swirling speculation about Adeleke’s potential move to the ruling party ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
Lawal claimed that Adeleke’s defection bid stemmed from fear of an imminent electoral loss in 2026, driven by public discontent with his administration. “The highly informed Osun public is aware that it was the fear of defeat in the 2026 election that motivated the governor to desperately seek asylum in our party for his political survival,” Lawal said. He accused Adeleke’s government of mismanaging nearly ₦1 trillion in public funds over 30 months, alleging the governor sought refuge in the APC to avoid accountability at the ballot box.
The APC chairman further criticised Adeleke’s leadership, highlighting alleged corruption, including the expenditure of ₦13 billion on luxury vehicles for aides while neglecting public transport infrastructure. Lawal also referenced unresolved cases of violence against APC supporters during the 2023 elections, notably the killing of Remi Abass, a former Irewole Local Government chairman and Tinubu campaigner, as a key reason for barring Adeleke. “Would the PDP caucus expect us to welcome with open arms those under whose leadership no fewer than 30 APC members were slaughtered for supporting President Tinubu?” he asked.
Lawal described the Osun PDP as a “leprous house” abandoned by principled politicians since 2023, claiming it had become a “private loot” of the Adeleke dynasty. He noted that reputable figures had already defected to the APC, leaving the PDP with “carcasses and political dregs” unlikely to retain power. The APC dismissed the PDP’s claim of remaining Osun’s most popular party as “self-consolatory,” pointing to public frustration over policies like the ₦1.5 million per session fees at the University of Ilesa.
In response, Osun PDP Chairman Sunday Bisi defended the party’s strength, asserting that Adeleke would secure a resounding victory in 2026. “Osun PDP remains solid. We affirm that Governor Adeleke will win Osun votes resoundingly in 2026, and through our support, President Tinubu will also win the Osun election,” Bisi said. He declined to engage further with the opposition, stating that Osun’s people would defend their votes and decide the state’s next governor.
The APC’s rejection follows the PDP’s state caucus, led by Adeleke and 27 chieftains, endorsing President Bola Tinubu for re-election in 2027, citing his Osun roots. The caucus clarified that defection rumours did not originate from Adeleke and were opposed by most APC members. Lawal, however, accused the PDP of misleading the public, insisting the APC proactively rejected Adeleke as a “Trojan horse” whose entry would undermine the party’s integrity.
Political analysts in Osun view the public dispute as a sign of escalating tensions ahead of the 2026 elections, with both parties vying to shape the state’s political narrative. The APC’s sharp rhetoric aims to exploit perceived weaknesses in Adeleke’s administration, while the PDP’s confident rebuttal signals its resolve to maintain power. Osun residents remain divided, with some supporting the APC’s stance and others backing Adeleke’s leadership.
The controversy has also sparked renewed discussions about political defections in Nigeria. The APC stressed that while parties are open to new members, entries that risk damaging public perception or party unity can be blocked. “A political party is a free-exit-free-entry arrangement, but when an entry risks creating a perception crisis, the party is within its rights to deny it, as was the case with Adeleke,” Lawal concluded. As the 2026 Governorship election approaches, Osun braces for a heated electoral contest.
