Adeleke Shelves Defection Plan, as Osun PDP Endorses Tinubu for 2027

Adeleke Shelves Defection Plan, as Osun PDP Endorses Tinubu for 2027

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja 

Governor Ademola Adeleke has dropped plans to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), as the Osun State PDP Leadership Caucus, rising from a high-level meeting in Osogbo on Monday, declared that both the governor and the party remain firmly committed to the PDP while throwing their weight behind President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in 2027.

The communique, issued at the end of the meeting, followed what the caucus described as extensive consultations with stakeholders across Osun State, including traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil servants, retirees, and the general public. The deliberations focused on recent political developments, particularly rumours of Adeleke’s defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

According to the caucus, although there was growing concern among PDP members over the speculation, the defection narrative did not originate from the governor and was met with strong resistance from both PDP and APC members in the state.

“The majority of the members of the APC in Osun State are opposed to the idea of the defection of Governor Adeleke to the APC.

“Some APC leaders, based on entrenched interests, have demonstrated hostility and resentment towards Governor Ademola Adeleke. Some went on social media and national television to call Governor Adeleke all kinds of unprintable names,” the communique stated.

It further noted that most PDP members were unhappy about the idea but were willing to follow the governor out of loyalty. “Only reluctantly did they agree to follow Governor Adeleke wherever he goes to show their love, support and loyalty to his leadership,” the document added.

Affirming that Adeleke, the PDP, and his administration remain widely popular in the state, the caucus resolved that both the party and its members should remain united under the PDP.

Most notably, the caucus declared support for President Tinubu’s second-term bid. “The PDP in Osun State recognizes the fact that Osun State is the ancestral home of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which makes the President the son of Osun State,” the communique said. “Therefore, the PDP in Osun State hereby adopts and endorses President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for re-election in the 2027 presidential election.”

The caucus also reaffirmed its commitment to Governor Adeleke’s second-term bid, endorsing him as the party’s flagbearer for the 2026 governorship election.

“In conclusion, Governor Ademola Adeleke and all members of the PDP in Osun State should remain in the PDP,” the statement affirmed.