Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has refuted claims suggesting he is planning to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) ahead of the 2026 governorship election in the state.
In a statement issued on Friday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor described the reports of his alleged alignment with ADC figures as “false and baseless,” reaffirming his loyalty to the PDP and his intention to seek re-election on the party’s platform.
The rumours are coming on the heels of similar claims that he had been in talks and planning to move to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He had also vehemently denied it at first, but his aides later claimed the talks had broken down, hence he opted to remain in the PDP.
His statement follows the July 21 endorsement by the Osun State PDP caucus, which reaffirmed support for Adeleke’s second-term bid and formally adopted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in the 2027 presidential election.
In the more recent denial, Rasheed said “Our attention has been drawn to reports about the imminent defection of Governor Adeleke to the ADC or alignment with ADC bigwigs ahead of the 2026 governorship race,” the statement read. “There is no truth in those publications and speculations.”
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Adeleke reiterated that the PDP in Osun State remains his political home and that no alliance with the ADC or any of its members is necessary for his re-election.
“I remain in the PDP, will run in the PDP, and need no alliance with the ADC to win with a wide margin in 2026,” he stated confidently.
He further noted that his performance in office has earned him the trust and support of the Osun electorate, which he believes will translate into victory at the polls.
“The Osun electorate supports me because of my impressive performance since I came to office. That good work is ongoing, and the people are committed to sustaining the delivery of good governance by re-electing me in 2026,” he said.
Governor Adeleke also urged members of the PDP in Osun to continue strengthening the party’s structures at all levels in preparation for next year’s election.
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