- This is even as the party implored members of the public to disregard speculations that the governor has defected to the APC
The All Progressives Congress says there is no truth in claims that President Bola Tinubu is forcing Governor Ademola Adeleke to join the party.
This is even as the party implored members of the public to disregard speculations that the governor has defected to the APC.
The party’s disclaimer was contained in a statement signed by the Osun APC spokesperson, Kola Olabisi, obtained in Osogbo on Sunday.
Olabisi said Adeleke’s administration was behind the false claim of his imminent defection into its fold, saying the governor has joined the APC.
“We want to state categorically and unequivocally that it is a lie from the pit of hell being told by the governor and his lieutenants that the state helmsman has defected into our party, as nothing of such is happening or being contemplated at all the levels of our party.
“At no time was there any pressure from the Presidency that Governor Adeleke should defect into our party as it has been the rumour by the governor’s lieutenants and his co-travellers.
“Without minding whose ox is gored, we make bold to state for the umpteenth time that Governor Adeleke hasn’t joined our party, while we are assuring our teeming members and supporters that our party is intact and all is well with it,” the party stated.
The Osun APC also disclosed that there were constitutional obstacles that needed to be surmounted for Adeleke to defect into its fold.
The party further said it observed that some of the allies of the governor had become ecstatic about the possibility of him joining APC, “which at the moment still remains within the realm of speculation.”
The statement further read, “It is an impossible utopia for a governor to defect into our party without the knowledge of its national chairman, Mr Ali Dalori, Chief Bisi Akande, state leader, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola (Minister of Marine and Blue Economy), state chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, the Agba Osun and others.
“It is indeed funny that it’s our party that has received persistent badmouthing from the gatecrashers into the Bola Ige House, who have now turned the most viable opposition party in the state into a beautiful bride.”
Expressing displeasure about what the governor’s lieutenants were allegedly saying about his imminent defection into APC, especially on social media, purporting that President Bola Tinubu has been making overtures to their principal, the Osun chapter declared the claim as a mere concoction to portray and create a resemblance of importance to the governor