From Lateef Dada, Osogbo
For the umpteenth time, spokesperson to 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 August 2026 governorship election to secure automatic ticket for his second term.
Reacting to the photograph of the governor, his elder brother, Deji, his brother’s son, David, with president Bola Tinubu, in a statement yesterday, Rasheed maintained that the visit was not for defection. He maintained that Adeleke remains in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
He said the visit was just a routine courtesy visit, insisting that it was not part of plans to seek Tinubu’s support to join APC as speculated.
“Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state is not defecting from the Peoples Democratic Party to any political party.
“He remains a bonafide 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 Tinubu is a routine courtesy visit. Any reading of the defection agenda into the visit is mere fake news,” Rasheed said.