The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has announced its rejection of an alleged attempt by Governor Ademola Adeleke to defect to the party.
The APC described Adeleke as a “political liability” whose potential defection would damage the party’s integrity.
This strong reaction from the Osun APC comes just hours after Governor Adeleke and 27 chieftains of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun announced their adoption of President Bola Tinubu as their preferred presidential candidate for the 2027 general elections, citing his Osun roots as a primary reason.
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A communiqué from the PDP leadership caucus subsequently revealed that Adeleke had put his defection plan on hold due to significant resistance from both PDP and APC members, while reaffirming their collective support for Tinubu.
Responding in a strongly worded statement on Wednesday, Tajudeen Lawal, the Osun APC Chairman, stated that the party could not accept Adeleke due to the “baggage” he would bring.1 Lawal accused the governor of running a corrupt and directionless government.
He further alleged that Adeleke’s desperate attempt to join the APC was motivated by fear of an “impending 2026 election defeat.”
Lawal characterized the Adeleke administration as a “leprous house” that has driven away principled politicians, claiming that only “carcasses and political dregs” remain in the PDP, which he said has been reduced to an empty shell since its “moral collapse” in 2023.
Lawal also leveled several accusations against Adeleke’s administration, including:
- Imposing exorbitant school fees (up to N1.5 million per session) on students of the University of Ilesa.
- Spending N13 billion on luxury vehicles for his aides.
- Defrauding over 32,000 teaching job applicants.
- Mismanaging nearly N1 trillion in just 30 months of his administration.
He asserted that the governor’s public support for President Tinubu would not protect him from defeat in the 2026 governorship election.
Lawal justified the APC’s stance by explaining that while parties are open to entry, they are within their rights to deny entry if it threatens their public image or risks creating a perception crisis, as was the case with Adeleke.
The Osun APC Chairman concluded by affirming the party’s readiness to reclaim power in Osun in 2026, warning that no alliance, endorsement, or defection attempt would shield Adeleke from electoral defeat.
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