Temisan Olaifa
Olawale Rasheed, the spokesman to the Governor of Osun State, Nurudeen Jackson Adeleke, has denied the claim by the state chapter of the All Progressives Congress that Adeleke negotiated defection from the People’s Democratic Party to the APC.
He said the opposition party in the state must be hallucinating with such a claim.
He said at no time, past or present, did “Governor Ademola Adeleke negotiate or consider defection from the PDP.”
He said further, “Governor Adeleke, who defeated an incumbent in 2022, has continued to deliver the dividends of democracy, earning recognition from local, national, and international organisations, including federal agencies.
“With such a record, he has no need to defect to secure victory in 2026.
“In over two years of governance, the governor has not attended any meeting where defection was discussed or considered. Such an idea has never been and will never be on the table.”
He said, “Adeleke, as a performing governor who has achieved in under three years what the APC could not deliver in 12 years and who enjoys overwhelming support from the people, has no need for a party widely criticised and rejected in Osun due to its past failures and current disarray.
“With over 80 percent job approval, and with visible impact across all sectors and regions of the state, Governor Adeleke was recently endorsed for a second term by Osun workers on Workers’ Day.”
With such a feat, he said Adeleke has no reason to join a party that he said is plagued by internal strife and leadership crises.
According to him, “We view the APC’s recent claim as a diversionary tactic aimed at masking its internal troubles. The party is reeling from self-inflicted damage, with its own members now exposing internal secrets that reflect a legacy of poor governance, divisive politics, and anti-people policies.
“We also believe the APC is deeply rattled by the overwhelming support Governor Adeleke has received from workers and citizens across the state.
“Let it be put on record: Governor Adeleke’s focus remains on protecting Osun State from desperate politicians determined to destabilise the state in their bid for power.
“The Governor has acted as a patriot by engaging all critical stakeholders at a time when agents of chaos sought to plunge the state into crisis. His commitment to peace and the rule of law was evident in his response, which was resolute, lawful, and people-centered.”
The governor, he said, has no regrets in defeating those he claimed were bent on creating anarchy in the state, adding that his administration will continue to prioritise stability, development, and good governance.
He urged the Osun State chapter of the APC to focus on its internal implosion and face its reality.
