Adeleke's Camp Shuts Down APC Defection Rumors After Tinubu Summit

The Imole Campaign Council has strongly refuted allegations that Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, intends to defect from the Accord Party to the All Progressives Congress (APC). These rumors emerged following his recent meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The campaign council, which played a pivotal role in coordinating Governor Adeleke’s activities during the August 15 Osun governorship election, clarified that the governor’s visit to President Tinubu was a matter of customary political tradition, particularly observed after off-cycle elections in Nigeria.

In a formal statement released on Friday by Bamidele Salam, the Chairman of its Media and Publicity Committee, the Imole Campaign Council asserted that the meeting between Governor Adeleke and President Tinubu was entirely devoid of any discussions or plans concerning a potential defection to the ruling APC. The council highlighted that Adeleke, having secured victory in the recent governorship election, bore the responsibility to pay respects and express appreciation to the office of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. Furthermore, it recalled President Tinubu’s pre-election speeches, which consistently emphasized the critical need for electoral bodies and security agencies to ensure free and fair elections in Osun State.

The statement elaborated that the visit also served as a crucial platform for President Tinubu, in his capacity as the father of the nation, and Governor Adeleke to engage in discussions centered on fostering peace, enhancing security, and promoting the overall progress of Osun State, especially in the aftermath of a highly tense electoral period. This clarification was issued in direct response to widespread speculation suggesting that Governor Adeleke's visit to the President was an indicator of his contemplation of abandoning the Accord Party for the APC.

The Imole Campaign Council categorically dismissed these reports as unfounded and baseless, reiterating with utmost certainty that the topic of defection was not raised at any point during the meeting. They unequivocally stated, “For the avoidance of doubt, the visit of Mr Governor and top members of his Campaign team had absolutely nothing to do with a plan to move from Accord to the All Progressives Congress as being insinuated in certain quarters.” The council further added, “We wish to state unequivocally that at no stage during the visit to Mr President was the issue of decamping to the APC discussed.”

The campaign council also took the opportunity to express its gratitude to President Tinubu for granting Governor Adeleke and his campaign team the audience. They reassured Adeleke’s numerous supporters of the governor’s unwavering commitment to effectively govern Osun State and to diligently serve its residents who entrusted him with their votes during the election.

Governor Adeleke visited President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, just days after securing his re-election in the Osun State governorship election. He was notably accompanied during this significant visit by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. This meeting marked Governor Adeleke’s first known official engagement with President Tinubu since his triumphant victory in the August 15 governorship poll, where he successfully defeated the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, to secure a second term. President Tinubu had previously personally extended his congratulations to Governor Adeleke on his victory, hailing the outcome as “a fitting assurance that democracy will continue to flourish in our country.” The election itself was fiercely contested and characterized by intense political maneuvering, various allegations of violence, and numerous disputes between the rival political camps, thereby underscoring the vital importance of post-election reconciliation, political stability, and robust cooperation between the state government and the federal government.