Gov Adeleke, Osun APC clash over alleged defection plan to ADC
The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress, APC, and the state government have clashed over claims that Governor Ademola Adeleke is making moves to join the African Democratic Congress, ADC, ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
In a statement on Thursday, the APC accused Governor Adeleke of begging and fraternising with the ADC leadership led by former Governor Rauf Aregbesola, allegedly in search of a platform to contest his re-election.
The statement, signed by the Osun APC chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, described the alleged move as a sign of desperation and lack of honour. Lawal added that it exposed the internal crisis within the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, at the national level.
According to APC, Adeleke’s alleged attempt to reach out to Aregbesola followed the PDP’s entanglement in legal and leadership disputes that might affect its documentation with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.
“It is strange that Adeleke now sees Aregbesola as his political messiah without whom his second term ambition is in danger. This is the same man he publicly condemned just four months ago,” the statement said.
The party recalled that in July 2025, Governor Adeleke had criticised Aregbesola, accusing him of leaving behind a legacy of huge state debt, half salaries, and uncompleted projects.
The APC chairman further alleged that the governor’s reported outreach to Aregbesola contradicted his previous position.
He said, “If not for desperation and complete lack of honour, why should Adeleke now go cap in hand before the man he once called a plunderer of Osun wealth?”
The statement also accused Adeleke’s administration of failing to fulfil campaign promises, including job creation and affordable education, despite earning significant revenue since assuming office.
“Despite earning over one trillion naira in 35 months, the government has increased school fees three times and sacked 1,500 teachers,” APC alleged.
It added that the governor’s alleged history of political betrayal showed that his interest in working with Aregbesola was self-serving and aimed at clinging to power.
“Governor Adeleke is known for betrayal. He betrayed his kinsman, Adejare Bello, and several others in the PDP,” the APC statement said.
However, the Osun State Government swiftly dismissed the APC’s claims, describing them as false, baseless, and fabricated.
In a counter-statement issued on Thursday by Olawale Rasheed, spokesperson to the governor, Governor Adeleke insisted that he had no plans to defect to ADC or negotiate with Aregbesola.
“Our attention has been drawn to a statement credited to the Osun APC chairman that Governor Ademola Adeleke is negotiating with former Governor Rauf Aregbesola about joining the ADC. The report is false, and the entire assertions by the opposition are mere fabrication and fake news,” Olawale said.
He urged members of the public to disregard the allegation, describing it as fake news from the pit of hell, and reaffirmed that Governor Adeleke remained committed to PDP.