Shockwaves In APC! Tinubu’s Warm Ties With PDP’s Adeleke Rattle Osun Chapter

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State is grappling with internal unrest following President Bola Tinubu’s increasingly close relationship with Governor Ademola Adeleke, sparking anxiety among party loyalists over its implications for the 2026 governorship election.

Multiple party insiders confirmed to Sunday Punch that Tinubu’s perceived endorsement of the opposition PDP governor has unsettled APC stakeholders—especially supporters of former governor and current Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola.

Tensions escalated after Governor Adeleke, his billionaire brother Deji Adeleke, and music star Davido visited President Tinubu at his Lagos residence on June 3. That visit came less than two weeks after the President’s Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila, paid a courtesy call on Adeleke at the Osun State Government House on May 20—further fueling rumors of a looming political realignment.

The meetings triggered widespread online debates. While Adeleke’s supporters praised his closeness to the President, many APC loyalists viewed it as a potential defection strategy.

“This is exactly how things unfolded in Oyo,” an APC chieftain warned, drawing parallels to Tinubu’s controversial support for Governor Seyi Makinde over APC’s Teslim Folarin in the 2023 polls.

Addressing the issue at a press conference, APC leaders—led by former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Timothy Owoeye—firmly rejected any attempt by Adeleke to cross over to the ruling party.

“If not for fear of losing, the Adeleke family and the PDP wouldn’t be trying to infiltrate our ranks. Let it be clear—the APC ticket is not up for grabs,” Owoeye said.

Echoing this stance, APC Publicity Secretary Kola Olabisi described Adeleke’s overtures as signs of desperation.

“Why is he cozying up to APC leaders after publicly denouncing us? His visit to Chief Bisi Akande is suspicious. There’s no smoke without fire,” Olabisi remarked.

He further accused Adeleke of trying to cling to power by switching parties:
“He knows he can’t win under the PDP in 2026, so he’s trying to hijack the APC platform. But we’ll resist him.”

In response, the Osun PDP dismissed the APC’s claims as baseless and immature, accusing the party of entitlement.

“It’s naive to think the President belongs to just one party,” PDP spokesperson Oladele Bamiji stated.
“Governance transcends party lines. Governors and Presidents will always interact.”

Bamiji argued that the APC is reacting out of fear, knowing Adeleke remains immensely popular.

“They’re panicking because they know they can’t beat Adeleke in a free and fair election. That’s why even a simple courtesy visit is causing so much unrest.”

An APC official, speaking anonymously, warned that any attempt by Adeleke to join the APC could demoralize committed party faithful.

“We don’t trust Tinubu’s political maneuvers. He betrayed us in Oyo, and we fear he might do it again. Adeleke is trying to reap where he didn’t sow—and we won’t let that happen.”

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has scheduled the next Osun governorship election for August 6, 2026.