The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has firmly denied claims that Governor Ademola Adeleke is planning to join the party, describing such reports as baseless and misleading.
In a statement released on Sunday by its spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, the Osun APC accused the Adeleke administration of spreading false information about an alleged defection.
The party emphasized that there is no truth to the rumors and that Governor Adeleke has neither defected nor is in talks to join the APC.
“We categorically state that the claim being circulated by the governor and his associates is a complete fabrication.
Governor Adeleke has not defected to our party, nor is such a move being considered at any level of the APC,” the statement read.
The party also dismissed allegations that the Presidency is pressuring Adeleke to switch parties, calling it a manufactured narrative being pushed by the governor’s allies.
Reassuring its members, the APC said, “Let it be clear that Adeleke is not part of our party, and we remain united and strong. Our party is fully intact.”
The statement further pointed out that constitutional procedures must be followed for any political defection to occur, none of which have been initiated in this case.
According to the APC, some of Adeleke’s associates have been prematurely celebrating a possible defection, even though the idea remains speculative.
“It is unrealistic to think a governor could join our party without the involvement of key leaders such as our National Chairman, Mr. Ali Dalori; Chief Bisi Akande; the state leader and Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola; and the Osun APC Chairman, Tajudeen Lawal,” the statement added.
The party also criticized those spreading the narrative, especially on social media, that President Bola Tinubu is courting Adeleke to join the APC.
It described such claims as a deliberate attempt to boost the governor’s perceived political relevance.
The Osun APC concluded by asserting that those once critical of the party are now attempting to paint it as a coveted political platform, despite their previous antagonism.