The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has revealed that it rejected Governor Ademola Adeleke’s alleged bid to join the party, describing him as a political liability who would damage the APC’s image ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
This was made known in a statement issued in Osogbo on Wednesday by the Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, in response to a communiqué released by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Leadership Caucus, which was signed by Governor Adeleke and 27 other PDP chieftains. The communiqué had criticised some APC members for resisting the governor’s planned defection.
According to Lawal, Governor Adeleke is only interested in the APC as a way to save himself from looming electoral defeat, accusing him of mismanaging nearly ₦1 trillion in just 30 months in office.
“The Osun public knows that it is fear of the 2026 election that is pushing Governor Adeleke to look for political asylum in the APC. But our party members are happy that we didn’t fall for his tricks,” Lawal said.
He added that the PDP in Osun has become weak and unpopular under Adeleke’s leadership, describing it as a “leprous house” deserted by honest politicians.
Lawal warned that while political parties are open to all, the APC has the right to reject anyone whose intentions could damage its credibility or public image.
“Adeleke’s offer to join the APC was rejected because it was deceptive. His government has been attacking President Tinubu in Osun State media while pretending to support him in Abuja,” Lawal stated.
He further accused the governor of hoarding public funds while citizens suffer, saying Adeleke has failed to use increased federal allocations to improve hospitals, agriculture, and key sectors of the economy.
“The same man who allowed the people to suffer economic hardship is now pretending to be a Tinubu loyalist just to win re-election,” Lawal concluded.
Governor Adeleke of the PDP won the Osun governorship election in 2022, defeating then-incumbent Governor Gboyega Oyetola of the APC. Since then, political tensions between both parties have remained high in the state. The next gubernatorial election in Osun is due in 2026, and political realignments and defections are already shaping the political landscape.
