Osun 2026: APC, PDP in disarray over Adeleke’s imminent defection

…Aregbesola poised for bountiful harvest

Barring last-minute hitches, the stage is set for the dancing Governor, Senator Nurudeen Ademola Jackson Adeleke, to defect to the party at the centre in Nigeria, the All Progressives Congress (APC). This is according to multiple insider reports.

In spite of the repeated denials on television and in newspapers by Adeleke, plans have been concluded by the Ede-born politician who is currently serving governor under the banner of PDP, to cross over to the APC.

This development has no doubt thrown party loyalists in both the ruling party and the APC in Osun State, into confusion on what will eventually happen in the state, especially with the next year’s gubernatorial election.

Insiders in both parties while expressing their bitterness at the development, insisted that the decision was a clear demonstration of desperation on the parts of the powers that be, and as part of the 2027 agenda of the APC.

As a result, emerging feelers revealed that members of APC in the state who are said to be spoiling for showdown, have allegedly vowed to resist the defection with every means at their disposal.

In a tension soaked meeting said to have been held at the country home of Adelekes on Wednesday, Governor Adeleke had allegedly announced to his cabinet, his intention to defect to the APC on Friday.

The announcement said to have left the cabinet members speechless and bewildered, allegedly saw the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, Hon Adewole Egbedun, storming out of the meeting in anger.

Egbedun was said to have ranted as he left the venue of the meeting that he wouldn’t care if he was removed as the Speaker, insisting he would stay put in PDP.

Report also showed that while Dr Deji Adeleke, the elder brother of the Governor had put calls through to some Osun Federal lawmakers earlier today in Abuja in order to carry them along in the scheme of defection, no fewer than six members of the state House of Assembly have agreed to tag along with the governor.

Equally, while most cabinet members are said not to be willing to leave the PDP, others are said to be in a quandary on the next line of political move to take.

Meanwhile, reports are that the new bride on the political landscape, the African Democratic Congress (ADC), is said to be watching the development with keen interest.

According to one of the leaders of the party in Osun State who expressed doubts on the development, he is praying for the rumours to be true, stating that it would be a bonanza for their party, ADC.

The leader who spoke under anonymity, stated that ADC was open to everyone to express their political preference, and would readily welcome members of APC and PDP who no longer have sense of belongings in their erstwhile parties.

It remains to be seen if Adeleke will make good his decision to cross over to APC from the PDP on Friday.