- Adeleke urged to prioritise delivery of Five Point Agenda despite rumours of defection.
- The caucus said the PDP members unhappy with APC defection idea but pledge loyalty to governor’s leadership.
The Osun state chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party has thrown its weight behind President Bola Tinubu’s re-election ambition in 2027.
The endorsement came after a meeting held at the government house in Osogbo on Monday, where party leaders also declared support for Governor Ademola Adeleke’s second term bid in 2026.
A communiqué issued at the end of the meeting said the position followed broad consultations across various sectors of the state.
According to the communiqué, inputs were gathered from traditional rulers, civil servants, pensioners, religious leaders, traders, party members, and residents.
The party said speculations about Adeleke’s planned move to the All Progressives Congress (APC) were unfounded and lacked backing from APC members themselves.
“That the majority of the members of the APC in Osun State are opposed to the idea of the defection of Governor Adeleke to the APC, which did not originate from the governor in the first instance,” the communiqué read.
The statement, shared by Olawale Rasheed, the governor’s spokesperson, also said some APC figures had shown open antagonism towards Adeleke.
“Some went on social media and national television to call Governor Adeleke all kinds of unprintable names,” it added.
The party noted that many PDP members in the state were not pleased with the talk of defection but were willing to stand with Adeleke out of loyalty.
“That the majority of PDP members in Osun State are not happy about the idea of the defection of Governor Adeleke to the APC, but only reluctantly agreed to follow Governor Adeleke to wherever he goes to show their love, support, and loyalty to his leadership,” the statement read.
It stressed that both the party and the governor remain widely accepted across the state, enjoying support that surpasses any other political platform.
The communiqué directed all party organs in the state to begin public engagement on the resolution.
It also called on Adeleke to maintain focus on service delivery and push forward with his Five Point development agenda.
The document was signed by the governor and top PDP leaders in the state.
Among the signatories were former governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, deputy governor Kola Adewusi, senator Lere Oyewumi, and lawmaker Bamidele Salam.
Others include Moruf Adebayo, Lukman Mudashiru, Soji Adetunji, Lanre Oladeebo, Clement Akanni, and Sunday Bisi.
Also listed are Lasun Yusuf, Fatai Akinbade, Adewale Egbedun, Oluwole Alabi, Tajudeen Oladipo, and Muyiwa Oladimeji.
Additional signatories were Sarafadeen Awotunde, Teslim Igbalaye, Kazeem Akinleye, Ganiyu Olaoluwa, Bunmi Jenyo, Ibukun Fadipe, Muniru Raji, Bola Ajao, Niyi Owolade, Wale Oladipo, and Olawale Rasheed.