A wave of uncertainty has gripped the political landscape of Osun State amid growing speculation that Governor Ademola Adeleke is preparing to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Multiple sources close to the governor, including appointees within his administration, have hinted that Adeleke may have already put the finishing touches to a defection plan, though no official announcement has been made.
The development has triggered tension across both major parties in the state. While some members of the PDP are reportedly feeling betrayed and anxious, the APC camp is said to be split—between those cautiously optimistic and others vehemently opposed to the governor's possible defection. This division came to the fore on Friday, when a faction of APC members staged a protest against the rumoured move.
In an attempt to douse the tension, Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, issued a statement dismissing the defection claim as unfounded. However, the rumour, which first gained traction in June following Adeleke’s visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his Bourdillon residence in Lagos, has proven difficult to dispel.
That visit—widely publicised after Tinubu’s Special Assistant on Social Media, Dada Olusegun, posted pictures of the meeting online—showed Adeleke, his billionaire brother, Dr Adedeji Adeleke, and superstar musician Davido in a closed-door meeting with the President and First Lady, igniting intense speculation.
The rumour resurfaced this week, fuelled by a series of cryptic social media posts made by aides to the governor, which insiders say hint at an imminent realignment.
A commissioner in the Adeleke administration, who spoke under condition of anonymity, told our correspondent that the governor has already informed select cabinet members and lawmakers about his decision to switch parties.
“Governor Adeleke will join the APC, but not immediately. His move is driven by political pressure, the withholding of local government funds by the Federal Government, and threats to the business interests of his elder brother, Dr Deji Adeleke,” the commissioner disclosed.
Another source within the governor’s inner circle confirmed that consultations with APC leaders are ongoing.
“The Governor is actively lobbying APC leadership, but his fate rests largely on the decision of President Tinubu. Leaders like former Governor Bisi Akande and Minister Gboyega Oyetola have yet to endorse his move,” a senior APC official in Osun told our correspondent.
He added that while Adeleke has sent emissaries to the APC high command, particularly the Presidency, resistance from within the party hierarchy may delay or even derail his planned defection.
As the political intrigue deepens, observers say all eyes are now on President Tinubu, whose final word could either greenlight Adeleke’s crossover or preserve the current party structure in Osun. For now, the state remains on edge, with neither camp certain of what lies ahead.
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