Why we rejected Adeleke’s defection bid — Osun APC

The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has rejected Governor Ademola Adeleke’s bid to join the party, labeling him a “political liability” who would undermine the party’s credibility and integrity.

In a statement issued by the Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal on Wednesday in Osogbo, the party addressed growing speculation about Governor Adeleke’s alleged defection plans.

The statement was a direct response to a recent communiqué issued by the Osun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Leadership Caucus, in which Governor Adeleke and 27 other party chieftains lamented what they described as stiff opposition to his planned move to the APC

The APC believes Adeleke’s decision to join the party is driven by desperation to escape accountability for his administration’s alleged mismanagement of nearly N1 trillion in 30 months, rather than a genuine interest in the party’s ideology.

The APC accuses Adeleke of criticizing President Bola Tinubu in Osun State while pretending to support him in Abuja, describing this behavior as hypocritical.

He said: “We state first of all that the highly informed Osun State public, who are aware that it was the fear of the impending 2026 election defeat that motivated the governor to desperately seek in our party an asylum for his political survival in 2026, are excited about the measured treatment meted to the Osun State governor and his desperate party men.

“It is no longer news that the Osun PDP has become a leprous house deserted by decent politicians with intention to serve the people.

“From 2023, when the party began to morally emaciate and became a war loot of the Adeleke dynasty, bright minds and people with good names to protect, who could not tolerate the deceit, shenanigans, and high-level corruption and brigandage the Adeleke government represents, daily troop out from the tattered umbrella into our party, thus leaving the PDP with carcasses and political dregs with no structure and hope to retain power in future elections.

“Therefore, the self-adulation of the PDP caucus that it remains the most popular party in Osun State is merely self-consolatory, as the claim could not be substantiated with facts.”

While the party claims to be open to all interested parties, APC said it reserves the right to reject entries that could tarnish its image or create a public perception crisis.

The APC’s rejection suggests that Adeleke’s re-election bid in 2026 may face significant challenges, with the party questioning his ability to genuinely support President Tinubu while criticizing him publicly.

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