Adeleke Rules Out APC Defection Despite Tinubu Meeting

Governor Ademola Adeleke will not be joining the All Progressives Congress, his campaign spokesman Pelumi Olajengbesi said on Friday in Abuja. The clarification came after the Osun State governor recently visited President Bola Tinubu, sparking rumours that he might defect from the Peoples Democratic Party to the ruling party.

Olajengbesi characterised the presidential meeting as a standard courtesy call rather than a signal of any political realignment. He explained that Adeleke viewed the visit as appropriate protocol following his re-election as Osun governor.

The spokesman added that the governor also wished to acknowledge Tinubu's role in enabling a transparent electoral process during the state's governorship race. The spokesman stated that Adeleke remains committed to his current party affiliation and that the visit reflected respect for the office of the President.

He further indicated that the governor intends to collaborate with the federal government on matters affecting Osun State, despite remaining outside the APC's fold. Speculation about Adeleke's political future has been a recurring theme since his election victory.

His decision to meet with Tinubu had prompted observers to question whether the PDP governor might follow other prominent politicians who have switched to the ruling party in recent years. Olajengbesi's statement seeks to put such conjecture to rest, positioning the meeting as routine inter-governmental engagement rather than precursor to party migration.