Governor Ademola Adeleke Denies APC Defection After Presidential Visit

The Imole Campaign Council has dismissed reports that Ademola Adeleke, Governor of Osun State, intends to defect from the Accord Party to the All Progressives Congress (APC). The denials followed a meeting on Thursday at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where Adeleke presented his certificate of return to President Bola Tinubu after winning a second term in the August 15 off-cycle governorship election.

Campaign council representatives stated the visit was a customary courtesy call focused on the security and development of Osun State. Coordinator Pelumi Olajengbesi described the notion of joining the APC as an impossibility, while Bamidele Salam noted the visit aligned with political traditions following off-cycle elections.

Following the election, Adeleke commended APC governorship candidate Bola Oyebamiji for calling on supporters to maintain order. While Oyebamiji noted the APC's intent to review the poll outcome, Adeleke praised the peace advocacy as a positive development for a population that experienced violence during the campaign. Adeleke invited opposition leaders, including Oyebamiji and Gboyega Oyetola, to collaborate on the governance of the state.