Tinubu’s visit: Adeleke won’t join APC, says Campaign spokesman

The spokesperson for the Ademola Adeleke Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has dismissed speculation that Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, is planning to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Olajengbesi said Adeleke’s recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu in Abuja was strictly a courtesy visit and should not be interpreted as an indication of plans to join the ruling party.

He stated this on Friday while addressing journalists in Abuja.

According to him, the Governor considered it appropriate to visit Tinubu following his re-election as a demonstration of respect for the office of the President and to appreciate him for allowing democratic institutions to function during the Osun governorship election.

“The visit of Governor Ademola Adeleke to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the proper thing to do. It is the norm; it is the standard,” Olajengbesi said.

He noted that Nigeria operates a federal system with federal, state and local governments, adding that Osun State remained an integral part of the federation.

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Olajengbesi said Adeleke also used the meeting to commend Tinubu for allowing democratic institutions to operate independently during the election.

He added that the Governor appealed to the President to support measures that would strengthen democratic institutions and prevent their manipulation for political purposes.

“The visit of Mr Governor to Mr President is not taking the people of Osun State for granted, but the intention is to amplify the aspiration of the people of Osun State,” he said.

The campaign spokesman described Adeleke’s victory in the election as a reflection of the decision of Osun voters, while acknowledging the tense nature of the contest. He said the Governor also discussed the need for healing and reconciliation in the state following the election.

According to him, Tinubu agreed that the post-election period provided an opportunity to unite the people of Osun State.

“Mr President has said to Mr Governor that this is the best time for us to unite our people in Osun State. And he’s in line with the speech and the position of Mr Governor, that it is time to heal the wound of the people of Osun State,” Olajengbesi added.

He, however, categorically ruled out any possibility of Adeleke defecting to the APC.

“The essence of that visit has nothing to do with Governor Ademola Adeleke joining APC. It’s an impossibility. Governor Ademola Adeleke is not joining APC,” he said.

Olajengbesi said Adeleke would nevertheless continue to work with the Federal Government on issues affecting the development of Osun State and Nigeria.

On reports that the African Democratic Congress (ADC) supported Adeleke during the election, the campaign spokesman said the Governor’s campaign neither sought nor entered into any agreement with the party.

He acknowledged that the ADC deployed some prominent politicians to Osun during the election but maintained that their presence did not determine the outcome of the poll. “ADC did not reach out to us. We are not interested in collaborating with any political party,” he said.

Olajengbesi attributed Adeleke’s re-election principally to the support of Osun voters and the Governor’s record in office, particularly in infrastructure and welfare.

“The election is about the people coming out en masse to support a governor who has diligently worked for them,” he said.

The spokesman said the Governor’s performance had earned him the support of voters, citing infrastructure development and interventions aimed at addressing the welfare needs of residents.

Speculation about Adeleke’s possible defection to the APC intensified after the Governor separately met with Tinubu and the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in Abuja on Thursday.

The campaign council, however, maintained that the meetings were part of the Governor’s engagements in the interest of Osun State and should not be interpreted as a decision to leave the PDP.

It reiterated that Adeleke would remain in the PDP while cooperating with the Federal Government on issues relating to the development of Osun State and Nigeria.