Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has dismissed speculation that he intends to leave the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), reaffirming his commitment to the party amid mounting rumours of defection.
In a statement issued on Saturday, July 5, Adeleke described the rumours as false and urged the public to disregard them.
“I want to assure the good people of Osun State and Nigerians at large; I remain a loyal member, and the leader of the People’s Democratic Party in Osun State,” he said.
The governor, who said he had received numerous calls in recent hours concerning the alleged defection, reiterated his administration’s commitment to its development agenda.
“My focus remains on delivering good governance and fulfilling our 5-point agenda for Osun people,” he stated. “Please disregard the fake news and continue to support our mission for a better Osun state.”
The statement comes in response to growing speculation that Adeleke may be considering joining a coalition led by the African Democratic Congress (ADC), following its recent adoption by several opposition figures. There have also been persistent rumours that he may defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), despite his repeated denials.
Adeleke, whose term ends in 2026, is expected to seek re-election on August 8 of that year in one of Nigeria’s off-cycle governorship elections. Amid a backdrop of internal party divisions and defections from the PDP, analysts have speculated that he could be exploring alternative political platforms ahead of the polls.
