Adeleke’s Camp Denies APC Defection Rumours After Tinubu Meeting

The Imole Campaign Council has dismissed reports that Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke plans to defect from the Accord Party to the All Progressives Congress (APC) following his meeting with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

In a statement issued on Friday by Bamidele Salam, Chairman of the council’s Media and Publicity Committee, the group described the meeting as a customary post-election engagement and said no discussion about defection took place. The council explained that Adeleke’s visit was intended to pay respects to the President and discuss peace, security and the development of Osun State following the recently concluded governorship election.

The council said the meeting was particularly important given the tense political atmosphere surrounding the election, noting that Tinubu had previously called for free and fair polls and urged relevant institutions to protect the electoral process.

It maintained that Adeleke’s engagement with the President should not be interpreted as a move toward the APC, insisting that “at no stage” was the issue of decamping discussed. The council also thanked Tinubu for receiving Adeleke and his team and reassured supporters that the governor remained committed to governing Osun State and serving those who elected him.

Adeleke met with Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Thursday, days after securing re-election in the August 15 governorship election, and was accompanied by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu. The meeting came after Tinubu congratulated Adeleke on his victory over APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, describing the result as evidence that democracy would continue to flourish in Nigeria.

Against the backdrop of the closely contested election and tensions between rival camps, the meeting also underscores the importance of post-election reconciliation and cooperation between the Osun State and federal governments.