Osun APC Says Adeleke Was Rejected Over Poor Leadership Record

Tensions are rising in Osun politics as the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) said it refused to accept Governor Ademola Adeleke into its fold, calling him a political burden with no value to offer.

For weeks, reports have circulated that Adeleke planned to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and join the ruling APC. However, Osun APC chairman Tajudeen Lawal said the governor’s alleged attempt was quickly turned down due to what he described as Adeleke’s troubled track record and the damage his defection could cause to the party’s image.

The rejection comes shortly after the Osun PDP endorsed President Bola Tinubu for the 2027 election and backed Adeleke for a second term in 2026. The caucus insisted that rumours of defection did not originate from the governor, and dismissed them as speculation. Despite this, APC leadership in Osun accused Adeleke of trying to gain political protection ahead of the next election cycle.

Lawal described the governor as someone trying to sneak into the party under pressure. According to him, Adeleke was seen as a “Trojan horse” and would have weakened the APC’s integrity if allowed in. He claimed the governor’s move was driven by fear of defeat in 2026, not loyalty to Tinubu or the party.

The APC leader didn’t hold back in his criticism. He said the PDP had collapsed under Adeleke’s leadership and now serves only the interests of his family. He accused the state government of corruption, wasteful spending, and disconnect from the needs of ordinary people. Lawal pointed to the N13 billion spent on luxury cars for aides, while public transport and education suffer. He also questioned the affordability of education in the state, citing high tuition fees at the University of Ilesa.

The statement went further, linking Adeleke’s camp to unresolved political violence. Lawal raised concerns over the killing of Remi Abass, a local APC leader, during the last election. He said such incidents made Adeleke’s entry into the APC unacceptable to party members.

Lawal also accused the governor of double standards, claiming Adeleke criticizes Tinubu’s administration within Osun, while acting friendly in Abuja. He alleged that some top PDP figures are currently being investigated by anti-graft agencies like the EFCC and ICPC.

According to Lawal, residents of Osun have lost trust in Adeleke’s leadership and celebrated the fact that the APC refused him entry. He concluded by urging the governor and his party to stop playing the victim and instead prepare to face voters in 2026.