Campaign Spokesman Speaks On Adeleke Joining APC

The spokesperson for the Ademola Adeleke Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has dismissed speculation that the Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, plans to switch to the All Progressives Congress following his post-election visit to President Bola Tinubu.

Speaking to journalists in Abuja on Friday, Olajengbesi clarified that Adeleke’s trip to the President was merely a courtesy call to demonstrate respect for the presidency, emphasizing that the governor remains firmly within his political party.

He explained that the visit also served to thank Tinubu for maintaining a fair playing field during the recent Osun State governorship election, allowing citizens to vote freely.

“The visit of Governor Ademola Adeleke to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the proper thing to do. It is the norm; it is the standard,” he stated.

He further noted, “We all agree that Nigeria is a federation. We have three tiers of government — the Federal Government, the state government and, of course, the local government.”

“Osun State is a sub-nation now under the Nigerian government, and we don’t intend to take Osun State out of Nigeria. So we understand, and I think the governor deemed it necessary to pay a courtesy call to Mr President as a sign of respect to the office of the President,” he added.

Olajengbesi noted that the governor seized the chance to praise Tinubu for letting democratic institutions operate independently throughout the polls.

He mentioned that Adeleke also urged the President to back initiatives that reinforce democratic bodies and stop politicians from tampering with them.

“The visit of Mr Governor to Mr President is not taking the people of Osun State for granted, but the intention is to amplify the aspiration of the people of Osun State,” he remarked.

Describing the election as tense, the campaign spokesperson stated that Adeleke’s triumph mirrored the true desires of the state’s populace.

He added that the governor used the discussion with Tinubu to champion reconciliation and harmony across Osun State post-election.

“Mr President has said to Mr Governor that this is the best time for us to unite our people in Osun State. And he’s in line with the speech and the position of Mr Governor, that it is time to heal the wound of the people of Osun State,” Olajegbesi noted.

Nevertheless, he firmly ruled out any possibility of Adeleke crossing over to the APC.

“The essence of that visit has nothing to do with Governor Ademola Adeleke joining APC. It’s an impossibility. Governor Ademola Adeleke is not joining APC,” he asserted.

“But I can assure you that Governor Ademola Adeleke will work with the Federal Government to ensure that there’s progress in Nigeria and, of course, in Osun State,” he continued.

Speculation surrounding Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke potentially shifting to the All Progressives Congress arose following his separate meetings with President Bola Tinubu and FCT Minister Nyesom Wike in Abuja on Thursday.