The alleged planned defection of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke to the All Progressives Congress, APC, is already shaking the political in the state.
It has triggered reactions from the APC particularly with loyalists of President Bola Tinubu appealing to Adeleke to dump the Peoples Democratic Party and join the APC to strengthen home support for Tinubu’s reelection in 2027, against the broad based coalition working to sack the president and his party from power in the coming elections.
Also, a leading governorship aspirant of the APC in the state, Dr Akin Ogunbiyi, on Thursday said that he is not disturbed by Adeleke’s speculated decamp to the party, ahead
speculation that Governor Ademola Adeleke was planning to defect to the APC ahead of the August 8, 2026, gubernatorial election in the state ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
Although Adeleke has repeatedly denied any plan to leave the PDP, Ogunbiyi said that he was not concerned if the governor decides to join APC,
He stressed that what matters most is for his party to win next year’s governorship election.
He spoke at the APC party secretariat in Osogbo shortly after officially announcing his intention to seek the party’s ticket.
When asked by journalists, Ogunbiyi, a former PDP chieftain, said, “I’m not worried at all that the current governor is coming to the APC.
“Where else, APC is the winning team and we can see what is happening at the federal level regarding what the president is doing.
“I’m not surprised that even in Osun State, as well as in other states, people are declaring for APC because it is a winning team.
“I am not worried that anyone is joining APC. He’s a serving governor and can join APC without issue.
“Adeleke can also join APC; what matters is to oust the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State. All the aspirants are united in their goal to achieve this.”
However, Ogunbiyi was optimistic that his chances of securing the APC ticket are bright,
He said, “I believe I stand as a unifying figure among the aspirants and for APC in Osun.
“I enjoy a great deal of goodwill, as you can see from what is happening today. People from all the local governments are coming to show solidarity with me. My chances are very high.”
On the measures deployed by President Bola Tinubu to address the nation’s socioeconomic challenges, Ogunbiyi, who hails from Ileogbo community in Osun West Senatorial District, argued that the legacy projects implemented by the Federal Government would secure a second term for the president.
He said, “By God’s grace, our Baba (President Bola Tinubu) will use his eighth year and will complete it with legacy projects. Look at security, look at the profits of tax reform.
“Look at the boldness with which he acted on fuel subsidy. None of the previous governments had the boldness.
“But he knows how to rule and what governance is all about, and that singular act has brought prosperity. It’s a matter of time before it starts to reflect in the lives of the people.
“All these are progressive approaches to development. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government will bring development to the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Every state and local government will be touched by the developmental agenda of our president.”
