From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
The spokesperson for Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, Olawale Rasheed, has refuted claims that his principal was planning to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the August 2026 governorship election to secure an automatic ticket for his second term.
Reacting to a photograph of the governor, his elder brother, Deji, and his brother’s son, David, with President Bola Tinubu, in a statement on Wednesday, June 4, Rasheed maintained that the visit was not for defection, saying that Adeleke remains in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP).
He said the visit was a routine courtesy visit, insisting that it was not part of plans to seek Tinubu’s support to join the APC as being speculated.
“Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State is not defecting from the People’s Democratic Party to any political party.
“He remains a bona fide member and leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State.
“The media speculation about likely or imminent defection is fake news. Governor Adeleke remains a member and leader of the PDP in Osun State.
“The visit by the Adeleke dynasty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a routine courtesy visit. Any reading of defection agenda into the visit is mere fake news,” Rasheed said.