Hundreds of members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State have defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC), amid growing speculation that Governor Ademola Adeleke is preparing to dump the PDP for the nation’s ruling party.
Their defection followed a recent unanimous declaration by PDP leaders in the state to follow Adeleke to any political party he chooses, as signs of his impending move to the APC continue to intensify.
However, Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Malam Olawale Rasheed, said consultations were still ongoing with key stakeholders both within and outside the state.
He disclosed that all organs of the party and government, including the National Assembly caucus, State Assembly caucus, State Executive Council, party executives, the Special Advisers’ Forum, elders’ caucus, and the state leadership of ALGON, attended a meeting at the Banquet Hall of the Government House at the weekend where the issue of defection was discussed in detail.
In a communiqué issued after the meeting, the PDP leadership in Osun resolved to follow Adeleke wherever he decides to go.
Present at the meeting were Governor Adeleke; Deputy Governor Prince Kola Adewusi; Senate Deputy Minority Leader Senator Lere Oyewumi; Hon. Bamidele Sallam; Hon. Clement Olohunwa; Hon. Taofeek Abimbola Ajilesoro; High Chief (Mrs) Modupeola Adeleke; South West PDP Vice Chairman Engr. Kamorudeen Ajisafe; Osun PDP Chairman Hon. Sunday Bisi; House of Assembly Speaker Rt Hon. Adewale Egbedun; Deputy Speaker Rt Hon. Ireyode Oyewusi; Secretary to the State Government Hon. Teslim Igbalaye; Chief of Staff to the Governor Hon. Kazeem Akinleye; former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola; Senator Oluwole Alabi; Alhaji Tajudeen Oladipo; Alhaji Fatai Akinbade; Rt Hon. Lasun Yusuf; Alhaji Gani Olaoluwa; Rev. Bunmi Jenyo; ALGON State Chairman Hon. Sarafadeen Awotunde; Special Adviser on Politics to the Governor Hon. Muniru Raji; SUBEB Chairman Hon. Ibukun Fadipe; and the state PDP Secretary Hon. Bola Ajao.
Similarly, the Forum of Special Advisers to Governor Adeleke has affirmed its loyalty and support to the governor amid the defection rumours. In a statement signed by its chairman, Dr Adekunle Akindele, Special Adviser on Public Health, the forum said it would stand by Adeleke regardless of the party he joins.
“As the news of Governor Adeleke defecting from PDP continues to spread, we, the Forum of Special Advisers to the Governor, wish to state categorically that we stand by the governor,” Akindele said. “This decision was made after a series of deliberations at our last meeting. We have resolved that our loyalty and support remain with Governor Adeleke, regardless of whichever party he decides to join.”
Meanwhile, at the weekend, some PDP members officially defected to the APC following the declaration of business mogul Dr Akin Ogunbiyi to contest the 2026 governorship election on the APC platform.
Led by Alhaji Adebayo Adeniran, the defectors said they were aligning with Ogunbiyi’s ambition. Speaking during a defection and declaration event held at the APC secretariat in Osogbo, Adeniran said, “We have been with Dr Ogunbiyi since his PDP days. Rather than join a strange party like the ADC, we believe the APC offers a better platform.”
In his declaration speech, Ogunbiyi said he was unbothered by reports of Governor Adeleke’s interest in joining the APC. “I’m not worried that the governor is struggling to come to the APC. Our party is a winning team, and that’s why people from across the country are declaring for it,” he said.
Daily Trust reports that the political uncertainty surrounding Adeleke’s anticipated defection has stirred anxiety among members of both PDP and APC in Osun State, with many concerned about how it might affect their positions in the evolving political landscape.
Notably, supporters of former governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola, have expressed reluctance to welcome Adeleke into the APC. They insist that Oyetola will contest the 2026 governorship election and that Adeleke can only aspire to the APC ticket after Oyetola completes a second term.
