The Ademola Adeleke Campaign Council has dismissed reports that Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke is planning to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the speculation as unfounded. Pelumi Olajengbesi, the council's spokesperson, made the denial while addressing journalists in Abuja on Friday, following rumours triggered by the governor's visits to President Bola Tinubu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in Abuja on Thursday.
What the Governor's Visit Was Really About
According to The Punch, Olajengbesi clarified that Adeleke's meeting with President Tinubu was a courtesy call, not a political overture. The governor used the visit to thank Tinubu for ensuring conditions that allowed a fair contest during the recent Osun governorship election, which permitted voters to exercise their will without interference.
Olajengbesi further stated that Adeleke commended the President for allowing democratic institutions to operate independently during the poll. The governor also appealed to Tinubu to support efforts to protect those institutions from political manipulation. Additionally, Adeleke raised the need for healing and unity in Osun State following what he described as a tense election.
Direct Denial of APC Defection and ADC Claims
When asked directly about the defection rumours, Olajengbesi was unequivocal, ruling out any possibility that Adeleke would cross to the APC. He also addressed separate reports suggesting the African Democratic Congress (ADC) played a role in the governor's re-election. Olajengbesi said Adeleke's campaign did not seek the ADC's backing, and that the party's deployment of prominent politicians to Osun State during the election period had no bearing on the outcome.
The spokesperson attributed the governor's victory to the support of ordinary Osun voters, highlighting Adeleke's record in infrastructure and welfare as key factors that drove his return to office. "The governor used the opportunity to appreciate Mr President for allowing a level playing field during the election," Olajengbesi said, adding that Adeleke's victory was a direct reflection of what the people of Osun State wanted.
The denial comes amid heightened political speculation in Osun State, with observers watching for any shifts in party allegiance following the governorship election. However, the campaign council's firm stance leaves little room for doubt about Adeleke's continued membership in his current party, as the governor focuses on governance and unity in the state.
