Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has firmly denied allegations that he engaged in any form of negotiation or defection talks with the All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the claims as baseless, misleading, and a deliberate attempt to misinform the public and destabilize the state’s political atmosphere.
The Governor made this assertion in a statement issued by his spokesperson on Monday, following widespread reports and insinuations by some APC members suggesting that he had been holding secret meetings with top APC leaders in Abuja in a bid to switch political allegiance.
Governor Adeleke, who came into office under the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), described the claims as hallucinations manufactured by a desperate opposition grappling with its dwindling political relevance in Osun State. According to him, the reports are nothing more than calculated attempts to distract his administration from its developmental goals and ongoing reforms in the state.
“I remain a proud member of the Peoples Democratic Party. At no time did I sit with any APC leader for any negotiation, either in private or public,” Adeleke stated emphatically. “The people of Osun voted for me, and I owe them dedication and transparency. Let it be clear that my loyalty lies with the PDP, the party that gave me the platform to serve.”
The Governor further expressed his surprise at the extent to which the opposition was willing to go in fabricating falsehood, cautioning the public to beware of politically motivated narratives designed to incite confusion and weaken the trust between the government and the people.
He maintained that such rumors are part of a larger strategy by the APC to create a perception of instability in Osun State, especially after suffering consecutive electoral defeats in recent elections. Adeleke accused the opposition of being uncomfortable with the growing popularity and performance of his administration, hence the spread of propaganda to unsettle the political waters.
“My administration is focused on service delivery, economic reform, and infrastructure development. These distractions are meant to slow us down, but I will not be deterred,” he said. “While they spread lies, we are busy fixing roads, improving education, empowering women and youths, and transforming Osun into a state of pride.”
The Governor’s comments come after a weekend of online and offline reports alleging that Adeleke was exploring the possibility of joining forces with the APC ahead of future elections. The reports, citing unnamed sources, claimed that he had held clandestine meetings with APC stalwarts in Abuja.
Reacting to the reports, the Osun State chapter of the PDP also issued a statement dismissing the rumors, describing them as desperate antics of a party that is struggling to stay afloat. The party reiterated its confidence in Governor Adeleke, highlighting his unwavering commitment to the PDP and to the progress of Osun State.
The PDP said, “Our Governor has consistently shown leadership, accountability, and loyalty. The opposition should focus on rebuilding their battered house instead of peddling lies.”
Meanwhile, several political analysts have weighed in on the development, noting that such tactics are not new in Nigerian politics. According to them, it is common for political opponents to circulate rumors of defection or political realignment in order to create confusion or reduce the credibility of sitting officials.
One analyst, who preferred not to be named, remarked, “This is classic political mischief. The goal is to sow seeds of doubt among party supporters and voters. But with the Governor coming out swiftly to debunk the rumors, it shows he is in control and not willing to play into their hands.”
On the streets of Osogbo and other parts of the state, residents expressed their views on the controversy. Many hailed Adeleke for addressing the issue promptly and for staying focused on governance despite political distractions. Some commended him for his transparency and communication with the public.
“I like that he didn’t keep quiet. That shows leadership,” said Akeem Oladimeji, a resident of Ede. “We voted him in, not for politics, but for development. Let the opposition do their job without spreading lies.”
Another resident, Mrs. Funmilayo Odetola, said, “The Governor has done well so far. I see road repairs in my area, and I hear good things about schools and healthcare. These are the things that matter, not fake political gossip.”
With the 2026 gubernatorial elections still some distance away, political tensions in the state are already beginning to heat up. Observers say that Adeleke’s growing popularity and developmental strides have unsettled the opposition, prompting an early onslaught of political narratives aimed at destabilizing his administration.
Despite the tension, Governor Adeleke has reiterated his commitment to maintaining peace, accountability, and progress in Osun State. He urged residents to ignore “rumor merchants” and remain focused on the shared vision of a more prosperous state.
“Our mission is clear, our path is focused, and our people are with us. No amount of lies will stop us,” he said.
As political season slowly inches closer, the war of words between parties is expected to intensify. However, for Governor Adeleke, the message is simple: he remains PDP, committed to Osun’s growth, and undistracted by political games.
