- APC Rejects Governor Adeleke’s Defection Plans
- Argues that inclusion of Gov. Adeleke would damage the party’s image
- Mr. Lawal alleged that the governor spent a total of 13 trillion naira on luxury vehicles
By: Aminat Usman
In a statement released by the ruling party in Osun State, the All Progressives Congress (APC) announced that it had rejected alleged move by Governor Ademola Adeleke to leave his current party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and join the APC.
Eko Hot Blog reports that this development comes after twenty-three members of the PDP defected to the APC, citing their support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as their preferred candidate for the 2027 presidential election.
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They also referenced the president’s ties to Osun State as a factor in their decision.
The APC leadership in Osun State stated that Governor Adeleke would not be accepted into the party, arguing that his inclusion would damage the party’s image and integrity.
In an official statement, the chairman of Osun APC, Tajudeen Lawal, said the party could not welcome Governor Adeleke “with all his political baggage,” accusing him of being a corrupt and directionless leader.
We state first of all that the highly informed Osun public—aware that it was the fear of an impending 2026 election defeat that motivated the governor to desperately seek asylum in our party for political survival—are excited by the treatment meted out to Governor Adeleke and his desperate loyalists,” Lawal said.
He also claimed that Governor Adeleke had dragged Osun State back from progress, stating that the state had begun to decline since 2023, following his appointment and the installation of other members of his party into key positions.
Mr. Lawal further alleged that the governor spent a total of 13 trillion naira on luxury vehicles for his aides and mismanaged nearly one trillion naira within just 30 months in office.
He also accused Adeleke of defrauding 32,000 applicants seeking teaching jobs.
“Political parties are, by nature, open to entry and exit. However, when such an entry threatens the public image of the party or risks creating a perception crisis, the party is within its rights to deny such entry—as was the case with Adeleke,” Lawal stated.
Following the announcement, members of the PDP ruling party released a statement after a leadership caucus meeting, clarifying that Governor Adeleke would not be defecting to the APC.
They cited strong opposition from both parties as preparations intensify ahead of the 2027 presidential election.
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