Fresh speculation over a possible defection of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, from the Accord, the platform which used to retain his seat for another four years to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has continued to generate political interest, despite a recent denial by his campaign organisation.
The speculation followed Adeleke’s recent visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, coming shortly after his victory in the just-concluded Osun State governorship election.
While the Imole Campaign Council, through the Chairman of its Media and Publicity Committee, Bamidele Salam, dismissed reports that the governor was planning to join the APC, a source close to the unfolding political developments told WesternLifeNewsNG that the possibility of such a move should not be completely ruled out.
According to the source, discussions concerning Adeleke’s political future may have gone beyond what was made public after the governor’s meeting with the President.
The source claimed that there had been political contacts between the two camps and alleged that a possible realignment involving Adeleke and the APC leadership could take place before the next presidential election.
However, the claim could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.
The source also questioned the planned review or audit of the Osun governorship election results announced by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), suggesting that the exercise could eventually produce little or no political consequence if negotiations between the governor and the APC leadership materialise.
The allegation is, however, at variance with the position publicly expressed by the Adeleke camp, which insists that the governor’s meeting with Tinubu was simply a post-election courtesy visit.
According to the Imole Campaign Council, the meeting was aimed at appreciating the President for his role in ensuring a peaceful and orderly election and discussing issues concerning security, peace and the development of Osun State.
The council also maintained that there was no discussion about Adeleke defecting to the APC during the meeting.
President Tinubu, according to the account released by Adeleke’s camp, congratulated the governor on his victory and advised him to see the electoral mandate as an opportunity to govern rather than an avenue for political conquest.
The President was also said to have urged Adeleke not to stigmatise or victimise his political opponents, but to promote unity, respect the rule of law and strengthen democratic values in the state.
Tinubu reportedly commended Adeleke and his campaign team for their mobilisation during the election and encouraged the governor to redirect that energy towards governance and development.
Despite the denial, however, political watchers are likely to continue monitoring the relationship between the governor and the Presidency, particularly against the background of the increasing political realignments ahead of the 2027 general elections.
For now, Adeleke remains a member of the Accord, while his camp insists that there is no plan to defect to the APC.
Whether the current political relationship between the Osun governor and the President will eventually result in a formal realignment remains a matter of speculation until either camp makes a definitive announcement.
