The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has warned Governor Ademola Adeleke regarding the party’s governorship ticket for 2026, declaring it firmly off-limits to political bargain hunters.
The APC on Wednesday declared itself the party to beat in next year’s elections, emphasising that it does not require Governor Ademola Adeleke’s backing to secure victory.
A chieftain of the party, who was also former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye, dismissed rumours of the governor’s potential defection.
This follows Adeleke’s recent visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos, accompanied by his elder brother, Adedeji, and his nephew, the musician Davido.
However, the governor has since clarified that he has no intention of leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Speaking at the Tinubu/Shettima campaign office in Osogbo, the state capital, Owoeye expressed confidence in the APC’s prospects in forthcoming elections.
He said: “I’m saying this categorically that APC tickets are not for sale. As a matter of fact, as of today, we don’t see Adeleke as a member or part of APC as a party. Let me be sincere with you, the APC in Osun is the party to beat.
“I want to tell you that if not because of the fear of the unknown that is disturbing the Adeleke family and the PDP, they wouldn’t have been showing the intention of coming to the APC.”
He added: “We have been saying this times without number that APC in Osun, if not because of the brigandage that followed the 2022 election and that of 2023, we shouldn’t have had elected PDP officials across the state.
“Now that the Adeleke family has seen that their tenure is already terminated, come August 8, 2026. We are driving away the PDP from the Osun government, and we want to appeal to our people to remain calm. There is no space for PDP or Adeleke in the APC.”
However, Adeleke media aide, Olawale Rasheed, said Adeleke remains a bonafide PDP member in Osun state.
He added: “The media speculation about likely or imminent defection is fake news. Governor Adeleke remains a member and leader of the PDP in Osun State.’’
“The visit by the Adeleke dynasty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a routine courtesy visit. Any reading of the defection agenda into the visit is mere fake news.”
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