Rauf Aregbesola, interim National Secretary of the ADC and former Osun governor, asserted during a homecoming event in Osogbo on Sunday that Governor Ademola Adeleke has finalized plans to leave the PDP ahead of the 2026 gubernatorial elections. According to Aregbesola, Adeleke “already know[s] they are on their way out,” and the 2026 race “may no longer feature three major parties” if the governor’s defection goes ahead.
However, Osun APC’s spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, quickly denied that Adeleke has made any move to join the party. Olabisi described the assertion as “a lie from the pit of hell,” reiterating that Adeleke remains in the PDP and that no pressure or negotiations from the Presidency have taken place.
These conflicting accounts follow rumours reignited earlier this week, when Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, hinted that the governor was “still consulting” and that his core PDP caucus had “unanimously supported any decision” he might take.
In contrast, APC officials have stated that there are significant constitutional and internal party hurdles that make defection unlikely. They also noted that key party leaders, including Ali Dalori, Bisi Akande, and Gboyega Oyetola, have not been consulted.
Meanwhile, widespread speculation continues that one APC insider claims Adeleke has initiated consultations with President Tinubu’s allies and some APC leaders, but that the outcome depends on the support of heavyweight figures like Akande and Oyetola.
The unfolding situation places the political landscape in Osun State on edge. If Adeleke does defect ahead of the August 8, 2026, election, it could collapse the current three-party dynamic (PDP, APC, ADC) and dramatically reshape power alignments as ADC prepares to challenge for the governorship.
