The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of misleading stakeholders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) by allegedly concealing failed attempts to defect to the APC.
In a statement released on Sunday by the APC’s Director of Media and Information, Kola Olabisi, the party claimed that Governor Adeleke had approached the APC leadership in a bid to join their ranks, but his overtures were rejected due to conditions he reportedly refused to meet.
“Adeleke should have been honest with PDP stakeholders about his unsuccessful efforts to defect to our party,” the statement read. “The APC made it clear he would have to join the queue like every other member and would not receive an automatic governorship ticket.”
Olabisi likened Adeleke’s alleged covert political maneuvering to that of a “promiscuous housewife,” claiming that several prominent Southwest governors and wealthy industrialists had tried to broker his defection under the cover of night. He further referenced an alleged visit by Adeleke to APC chieftain Chief Bisi Akande in Ibadan as evidence of the defection bid.
Responding, the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, dismissed the claims as baseless and a “diversionary tactic” by a party grappling with internal strife and a dwindling support base.
“Governor Adeleke has no reason to join a party in disarray,” Rasheed stated. “He has outperformed the previous APC administrations in less than three years and enjoys widespread support across the state.”
He added that Adeleke, who was recently endorsed by Osun workers on Workers’ Day, boasts an over 80% approval rating and has delivered visible development across sectors.
“The APC is clearly unsettled by the growing popularity of Governor Adeleke. Instead of facing its own leadership crisis and loss of public trust, the party is attempting to distract the public with false narratives,” Rasheed said.
The exchange highlights ongoing political tensions in Osun State, where the rivalry between the ruling PDP and the opposition APC continues to intensify ahead of the next electoral cycle.
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