Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has rejected rumours suggesting he is planning to defect to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), insisting he remains firmly in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The governor, in a statement issued on Wednesday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, described the reports as “false and mischievous,” accusing political rivals of peddling the speculation to create confusion ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
“Our attention has been drawn to a report that Governor Ademola Adeleke is planning to join the African Democratic Congress, ADC,” the statement read. “The report is not only untrue but a calculated attempt by those afraid of the governor’s soaring acceptability to create confusions and uncertainty in the minds of the people of Osun State.”
Adeleke reaffirmed his loyalty to the PDP and his commitment to running for a second term on its platform. He stressed that the party has already begun mobilising to secure his re-election bid.
“We want to reiterate for the umpteenth time that Governor Adeleke remains committed to the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, and has no plan whatsoever to join the ADC or any party for that matter,” the statement added.
The governor, who won the 2022 Osun governorship election after defeating the incumbent All Progressives Congress (APC), has emerged as one of the PDP’s most prominent figures in the South-West, with growing influence beyond the state.
Political observers believe that rumours of his defection reflect wider power struggles within Osun’s opposition circles, as the PDP positions itself to retain control of the state in 2026.
