The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of deceiving the public. The party claims Adeleke did, in fact, make attempts to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC, despite publicly denying it.
Kola Olabisi, APC’s Director of Media and Information in Osun, released a statement on Saturday. He said Adeleke told PDP stakeholders a lie when he claimed he never planned to leave the party. Olabisi insisted that Adeleke tried to join the APC but failed because he could not meet the party’s conditions.
According to him, the APC leadership at the national level told Adeleke he would not receive an automatic governorship ticket. He would have to join the party like every other member and follow due process.
At a recent PDP stakeholder meeting, Adeleke dismissed the defection rumours. He described the reports as “fake news” and blamed political enemies for spreading them. He said some people were intimidated by what he called his “extraordinary performance” as governor.
APC Reveals Secret Visits and Failed Defection Bid
The APC disagreed. The party expressed shock that Adeleke failed to speak the truth in front of key PDP leaders. The meeting had in attendance former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Dr Olu Alabi, Prof Wale Oladipo, Hon Akanni Olohunwa, Sunday Bisi, Speaker Adewale Egbedun, and Hon Lasun Yusuf.
Olabisi claimed Adeleke had secretly tried to defect to the APC with the help of powerful friends. He said some South-West governors and wealthy businessmen had made efforts at night to arrange the defection. One of those efforts included a secret visit to APC chieftain Chief Bisi Akande at his Ibadan home.
“We still remember how Governor Adeleke visited Chief Akande in the dead of night,” Olabisi said. “Why didn’t he tell PDP leaders that the APC refused to give him an automatic ticket?”
The APC also questioned Adeleke’s political confidence. “If he believes he’s popular, why look to us for a ticket? Is the PDP falling apart in Osun?” the party asked.
The APC claimed that people outside the state often overrate Adeleke’s popularity. Inside Osun, they said, the PDP loses members daily while the APC gains strength. The party also criticised Adeleke’s performance in office.
“His leadership has brought little value in the past three years,” Olabisi stated. “He overestimates his influence. His government continues to disappoint the people.”
The APC said Adeleke’s failure to join the party was a blessing. They believe his entry would have triggered internal conflict and disunity.
“We thank God that his plan to join our party failed,” Olabisi said. “That would have caused serious division and confusion.”
The party ended its statement with a warning. “Governor Adeleke should stop lying to PDP members,” Olabisi said. “If he continues, we will release full details of his failed moves to defect.”
