The governor of Osun State, Ademola Adeleke, is the subject of renewed speculation that he may be defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), increasing the level of political tension in the state. Members of both parties have been upset by the conjecture, swapping charges and voicing fears about its implications for the 2026 gubernatorial race, despite the governor's and his advisers' repeated denials.
The rumors of defection have been repeatedly denied by Olawale Rasheed, the spokesman for Governor Adeleke, who has called them "false, unfounded, and politically motivated." Rasheed has reiterated Adeleke's allegiance to the PDP. He stressed that Adeleke is still dedicated to the party and intent on carrying out the five-point plan for Osun State that his government has put forward. Some have seen a recent high-profile meeting between Adeleke, his brother Deji, artist Davido, and President Bola Tinubu as an implicit approval of a plot to defect, which has contributed to the persistence of the rumors.
Reactions to the rumors of defection inside the APC have been somewhat divided. Several high-ranking APC members consider Governor Adeleke's possible entrance as a strategic boon that would allow their party to unseat the PDP in Osun State. The APC is reportedly giving Adeleke's request to join careful consideration, according to sources close to the party's leadership; the national leader, President Tinubu, will make the ultimate decision. Before the 2026 elections, an APC leader said that the incumbent governor's support would be a huge help.
Nevertheless, there is internal opposition among APC members in Osun about this potential move. A group of the party held a peaceful demonstration at the APC state office in Osogbo, protesting the concept of awarding Adeleke an automatic gubernatorial ticket should he leave. They stated that numerous contenders have already indicated an interest in the gubernatorial race, and it would be wrong to sideline them by delivering the ticket to Adeleke without a fight. The demonstrators held posters with messages such as “No vacancy in APC” and “Our party is not for sale,” showing their discontent with what they view as a top-down imposition.
This internal APC disagreement underlines a major problem for the party: balancing the strategic value of gaining an incumbent governor against the danger of alienating grassroots members and candidates. Some APC stalwarts have even derided the notion of Adeleke entering, indicating he would only be welcome in a “failure” branch of the party, reflecting residual devotion to former governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, who is considered as the APC leader in Osun.
On the PDP side, Adeleke’s apparent defection has also sparked concern. Some PDP members worry about the effect of his departure on the party’s cohesiveness and electoral aspirations. Defections and heated contests have defined Adeleke’s political trajectory; he moved from APC to PDP in 2017 to follow his late brother in the Senate, and after losing the 2018 gubernatorial election to Oyetola, he recaptured the governorship in 2022 under the PDP flag. His leadership is viewed as vital to the PDP’s success in Osun, and his likely resignation raises worries about the party’s stability and unity ahead of the 2026 elections.
Despite the swirling speculations, Governor Adeleke remains openly staunch in his devotion to the PDP. His spokeswoman stressed that political realignments are common but should not compromise effective administration. Adeleke continues to assure his fans that he has no intention of defecting and is focused on delivering democracy dividends to the people of Osun.
Meanwhile, political hopefuls inside the APC, such as Dr. Akin Ogunbiyi, have dismissed worries about Adeleke’s probable defection, stressing party unity and the objective of winning the governorship. Ogunbiyi, who recently confirmed his desire to seek the APC ticket, indicated that he is unaffected by the speculations and welcomes any candidate who can boost the party’s prospects.
As the 2026 Osun gubernatorial race approaches, the mystery surrounding Adeleke’s political affiliation continues to generate conjecture and worry in both major parties. The consequence of this prospective defection might redefine Osun’s political environment, impacting candidate selection, party unity, and voter alignment. For now, both the APC and PDP remain cautious, with party officials and members waiting attentively for decisive actions from Governor Adeleke and the choices of their national leadership.
In this highly heated milieu, the people of Osun State await clarification, hoping that political wrangling would not eclipse government and the delivery of public goods. The following months will be key in deciding whether Adeleke’s defection plan materializes or remains a political illusion amid the 2026 election fight.
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