Political anxiety is gripping both the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State following widespread speculation that Governor Ademola Adeleke is on the verge of defecting from the PDP to the APC.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

According to findings by Saturday PUNCH, several of Adeleke’s close allies — including cabinet members — have confirmed that the governor is seriously considering the switch. They cited growing political pressure, perceived threats to family business interests, and uncertainty surrounding the PDP’s 2026 governorship ticket as major factors driving the decision.

Despite the swirling rumours, Governor Adeleke has publicly denied any intention of leaving the PDP. In a statement on Friday, his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, described the defection claims as baseless speculation. Yet, signs continue to point in a different direction, including cryptic social media posts by his aides and a protest by APC members opposing his alleged entry into their party.

Speculations first gained traction in June when Governor Adeleke, accompanied by his billionaire brother Adedeji Adeleke and Afrobeat superstar Davido, paid a high-profile visit to President Bola Tinubu at his private Bourdillon residence in Lagos. The visit raised eyebrows after Tinubu’s social media aide, Dada Olusegun, posted photos of the warm interaction with the President and First Lady.

Multiple insiders in the governor’s camp, including a commissioner and two special advisers, told Saturday PUNCH that Adeleke has already briefed some cabinet members and House of Assembly allies about his defection plan.

“The governor has made up his mind to join the APC,” one commissioner disclosed under anonymity. “While he hasn’t announced it officially, discussions are ongoing. He’s been under pressure — from withheld local government funds to concerns over the businesses of his brother, Dr Deji Adeleke. Too much is at stake.”

A top APC official also confirmed the consultations but noted that Adeleke’s fate ultimately rests with President Tinubu.

“Adeleke has been reaching out to APC leaders and hired lobbyists to appeal to the President. However, leaders like Baba Bisi Akande and Gboyega Oyetola are yet to give their approval. Tinubu will have to convince them,” the source revealed.

Further fuelling the speculation, Adeleke’s Senior Special Assistant and the Osun PDP Director of Media, Oladele Bamiji, posted “On Your Mandate!” on Facebook — a phrase synonymous with Tinubu’s political base — drawing swift reactions, including from APC members opposed to the governor’s potential entry.

One of Adeleke’s advisers said the defection was also linked to the PDP’s internal crisis and the legal risks surrounding the party’s primary election.

“With the PDP primary scheduled for September and INEC’s timetable already out, the governor is worried. Who will sign his nomination form amid this PDP chaos? If the process is flawed, litigation could derail his re-election bid. That’s why he’s looking for safer ground,” the aide explained.

In a cryptic confirmation, another aide, SSA Olalekan Badmus, tweeted, “After we all agreed to this, the next question is where?” adding that the governor was still “consulting and evaluating all options.”

Sources further told Saturday PUNCH that Tinubu’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, and members of the President’s immediate family are actively involved in brokering Adeleke’s move to the APC.

However, Adeleke’s spokesperson has insisted that the governor remains committed to the PDP. “I assure the good people of Osun that I remain part and parcel of the PDP family. I am not defecting to any party,” Rasheed quoted the governor as saying.

On the APC side, reactions have been mixed. National Secretary of the party, Ajibola Basiru, said he had no official knowledge of Adeleke’s plans.

“As National Secretary, I am unaware of any such defection. Everything else is hypothetical. I won’t react to mere social media buzz,” he said.

Similarly, Osun APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, maintained that the state chapter of the party had not received any formal communication from Adeleke.

“To our knowledge, it’s still speculation. The state leadership, led by Sooko Tajudeen Lawal, has no official record of Adeleke’s planned defection,” Olabisi said, adding that any decision on welcoming the governor lies solely with the party’s leadership.

Nevertheless, uncertainty continues to unsettle both political camps in Osun. Within the APC, supporters of former Governor Oyetola are said to be particularly concerned that Adeleke’s entry could threaten the ambitions of leading governorship hopeful Bola Oyebamiji.