'Adeleke is in a determined effort to join the APC, according to Omisore's statement'
In the political landscape of Osun State, the future is shrouded in speculation as rumors swirl around Governor Ademola Adeleke's potential defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC). However, Adeleke has repeatedly denied these claims, most recently during meetings with stakeholders in May 2025[1].
The latest voice to weigh in on the matter is former Deputy Governor of Osun State, Iyiola Omisore, who described Adeleke as a "political orphan" struggling to join the APC[1][2][3][4][5]. Omisore's remarks were made during an appearance on Channels Television's *Politics Today* and in subsequent media coverage around mid-July 2025.
Omisore's characterization of Adeleke as politically isolated comes after the erosion of PDP support in Osun State, with half of the PDP members having defected elsewhere, including the faction led by former governor Rauf Aregbesola moving to the Allied Democratic Congress (ADC)[1][5].
Omisore also suggested that if Adeleke and his supporters wished to join the APC, they should come "home" and engage with APC party structures directly, implying that Adeleke’s attempted entry lacked proper welcome or consensus within the APC[1][2][5].
Despite these assertions and rumors, Governor Ademola Adeleke has publicly denied any intention to defect to the APC. Meanwhile, the APC has also denied claims of Adeleke's defection[6]. The speculation about Adeleke’s defection intensified following private meetings involving Adeleke, his family, including his brother Adedeji and nephew, musician Davido, with President Bola Tinubu and other APC leaders[1].
Omisore dismissed the idea that this indicated a smooth or welcomed transition to the APC, instead framing it as a struggle[1]. He compared politics to reality, not mathematics, suggesting that political alliances and affiliations are not always straightforward[2].
In contrast to the ongoing rumors about Adeleke, no single decampee from the APC has joined the PDP in the past three years[2]. The Osun State Government has criticized former governor Aregbesola for making an empty boast about the 2026 election[7].
As the political landscape of Osun State continues to shift, the question of Adeleke's affiliation remains unanswered, with Adeleke maintaining his commitment to the PDP and Omisore viewing his potential move to the APC as a challenge rather than a smooth transition[1][2][3].
- The ongoing political saga in Osun State revolves around election affiliations, as speculation continues about Governor Ademola Adeleke's potential defection from the PDP to the APC.
- Amidst the strained relations within the PDP due to mass defections, former deputy governor Iyiola Omisore has publicly criticized Adeleke, suggesting that his alleged move to the APC would be met with resistance and lack a proper welcome within the party.
- Regardless of the rumors and private meetings with APC leaders, General News reports indicate that no significant defection from the APC has occurred to join the PDP in the last three years, which further complicates the political landscape and policy-and-legislation discussions in Osun State.
