Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke
By John Dike Osogbo
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke on Monday, reaffirmed his loyalty to the People’s Democratic Party, PDP.
Categorically, he told the state’s chapter of the Bukola Saraki Support Team (BSST), led by its Deputy State Coordinator, Hon. Awofadeju Peter Olayinka, PhD, at a strategic meeting with the party’s state leadership to dismiss his rumoured planned defection.
The group, at the meeting, which held at the PDP State Secretariat located at Biket Junction in Osogbo, sought clarity on trending rumours about his possible defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
In his speech at the forum, Alhaji Mustapha Sikiru Muhammed, the PDP State Director of Administration, who spoke on the governor’s behalf,firmly dismissed the defection claims, affirming that Adeleke remains a committed member of the PDP.
He acknowledged reported pressure from President Bola Tinubu, aimed at convincing the governor to defect to the APC to bolster the president’s re-election efforts ahead of the 2027 general elections.
However, he disclosed that the move was thwarted by internal resistance from APC stakeholders in Osun State.
According to Mustapha, Adeleke insisted that he would remain in the PDP, while also assuring that Osun State would support the president in the 2027 elections — provided his decision to stay in his party was respected.
He also spoke on recent defections by some senators and members of the House of Representatives, attributing their exit to political opportunism and personal greed.
He emphasized that their departure has only created space for new, loyal party members to emerge and lead.
Addressing the BSST delegation, Mustapha pledged greater collaboration in grassroots mobilization efforts ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship election.
He assured that BSST would be fully integrated into the campaign structure once the party’s election timetable is unveiled.
He also decried the withholding of local government funds by the federal government — allegedly as a tactic to pressure Adeleke into joining the APC.
This, he said, has significantly impacted development projects and employment initiatives at the grassroots level.
Mustapha reaffirmed the party’s support for BSST activities, including the use of the state secretariat for meetings and events.
He conveyed warm greetings to Dr. Bukola Saraki, the BSST State Coordinator, and all members of the support team across Osun State.
