APC Considering Top Southwest PDP Governor Request To Join Party From PDP – Sources
Another APC source in Osun said the final decision rests with President Bola Tinubu.
Amid reported plans by Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, to decamp to the All Progressives Congress (APC), multiple sources familiar with the development have told SaharaReporters that the party is considering accepting him.
According to several sources, Governor Adeleke’s interest in joining the APC is not a new development. However, this time around, the party is reportedly considering his plan to defect to the party due to the belief that his entry would help it gain control of Osun State.
“As of now, there are deliberations around Adeleke joining the APC. The considerations of the party (APC) leaders are that if he joins, it would help it get a hold of Osun State, given that he is the incumbent governor, but we are still waiting on what will happen,” an APC chieftain told SaharaReporters.
Another APC source in Osun said the final decision rests with President Bola Tinubu.
“If the President decides to accept Adeleke into the party, we would support him, as he is the leader of the party,” the source said.
“The issue however is that quite a number of key members of the PDP in Osun State left the party (PDP), due to differences with Adeleke, so there are concerns that if Adeleke joins the party, it may have adverse effect on the APC in Osun State, how would those who left PDP because of Adeleke feel.”
SaharaReporters contacted the Osun State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Sooko Taju Lawal, on the development.
Lawal, however, told SaharaReporters that the party leadership was not involved in the process or aware that Adeleke wanted to join the APC, but did not categorically state that the party would reject him if he decided to join.
“We are not aware of or involved in the process of Adeleke joining APC,” he said.
On whether the party would accept the governor if he decides to join, he said, “Let it happen first and we will know what to do, I will not comment much on the development.’
Earlier on Friday, Olawale Rasheed, the governor’s spokesperson, posted on his official X page that political alignments and realignments are never forbidden.
“Political party is a vehicle for power acquisition for delivery of public good,” he said.
“Alignments and realignments are never forbidden. However, under no circumstance should good governance be compromised,” he shared on X.
Last Thursday, Olawale denied claims that the governor planned to join the APC.
He described the defection claims as false, unfounded, and politically motivated.
He said Governor Adeleke noted with concern the widespread rumour and had reassured his supporters and admirers that he remained a member of the PDP and the leader of the party in the state.
“I assure the good people of Osun that I remain part and parcel of the PDP family. I am not defecting to any party,” Olawale said, quoting Governor Adeleke.
SaharaReporters again reached out to the spokesperson, Olawale, to seek comments on the developments. However, he failed to pick up his calls or respond to text messages sent to his phone and WhatsApp as of the time of filing this repor
