Spokesperson to Governor Ademola Adeleke, Mallam Olawale Rasheed has described as “fake news from the pit of hell” statement by the Osun State Chapter of the All Progressive Congress (APC) that the state governor has made several attempts to join the opposition party, calling it “a dillusionary report which is a product of troubled opposition that has challenge of who to field against the Governor in 2026.
“The report reflects the depth of unelectability of the APC in the 2026 guber election as the opposition is at a crossroad over acute short supply of electable aspirants. The opposition has noticed the futility of fielding the former Governor, confused over the cantankerous nature of Senator Ajibola Bashiru and in disarray over the featherweight, Oyebamiji from Ikirre whose traditional leaders have endorsed a second term bid for Governor Adeleke.
“ By the fake reports, the opposition is indirectly preparing for the possibility and eventuality of a second term win for the State Governor. The ‘Imole’ winning signal must have become so clear that the state APC is surrendering to the reality that God, the people and even federal authorities have affirmed the re-election of Mr Governor even before 2026.
“I will put on record that Governor Adeleke has never at any time hosted any meeting on defection either within or outside the country. A very popular Governor with over 85 percent approval rating is the doyen of all stakeholders at subnational and federal levels. Recent report confirmed that the state APC under the former Governor has lost more than 65 percent of its followership to the PDP because of the Governor’s acclaimed superlative performance.
“Mr Governor enjoys the confidence of the Presidency and top federal officials because he concentrates on good governance delivery and patriotic collaboration with the Federal Government on federal- national programmes. As a state governor, he prioritises positive partnership for service delivery instead of political bickering which retards rather than advance development.
“Mr Governor is also a passionate believer that President Bola Tinubu must succeed in his efforts to reform the national economy for several reasons. We all know that the success of President Tinubu is the success of all Yoruba sons and daughters as well as of all patriotic Nigerians. So supporting the President is a national duty as far as Governor Adeleke is concerned.
“There is however no plan whatsoever by the Governor to defect to the APC. We pity the APC for its crisis of unelectability. It is apparent that Governor Adeleke is unbeatable, hence there is a crisis of electoral strategy within Osun APC.That crisis within the opposition will get more compounded if the Osun APC continues on the path of fake news and concerted falsehood
“ It is not wrong neither is it bad if the Osun APC can simply abandon futile efforts of fielding a candidate in 2026. As the former Governor cannot beat Governor Adeleke, neither Senator Bashiru nor Oyebamiji can scratch the solid re- election assurance of the incumbent”, the Governor’s Spokesperson concluded.
