Drama Unfolds As Adeleke’s Attempt To Dump PDP For APC Hits A Brick Wall

Fresh insights have come to light on why Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke’s rumored defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) fell through.

According to Sunday Sun, loyalists of Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former Osun governor, Gboyega Oyetola, were instrumental in derailing the governor’s reported plans to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) for the APC.

Insiders revealed that a high-level caucus meeting was held Friday night at Oyetola’s residence in Ogo-Oluwa, Osogbo. The strategy session reportedly dissected the events that led to the collapse of Adeleke’s alleged defection move, while also discussing the APC’s roadmap for the 2026 governorship race and the broader 2027 elections.

A prominent APC national leader in attendance was quoted as saying he personally ensured that Adeleke’s defection plan did not succeed. He also reportedly assured President Bola Tinubu that the APC did not need Adeleke’s backing to secure Osun’s votes in 2027. He further emphasized that the party would use “federal might” to reclaim the governorship in 2026.

The meeting also addressed the ongoing legal dispute over local government allocations in Osun. The APC leader allegedly stated that efforts were made to influence the court’s ruling on local council leadership to prevent it from favoring the PDP-led state government. Despite criticism from legal experts and civil society groups, he affirmed that local government allocations would continue to be withheld.

Participants resolved that the APC must take back the Osun governorship by November 2026. Oyetola reportedly urged all APC aspirants to unite and put party success above personal ambition.

Attendees also cited the 2022 election defeat, blaming it in part on former President Muhammadu Buhari’s refusal to deploy federal security forces. They vowed such a scenario would not repeat itself under the current administration.

The PDP and Osun State Government have consistently condemned the continued withholding of local government funds, labeling it unconstitutional and politically driven, despite a favorable Appeal Court verdict.