APC Leaders Blocked Adeleke’s Planned Defection to Party – Lawmaker

• Rep. Bamidele Salam says Governor Ademola Adeleke considered joining the APC after consultations with party leaders.

• He alleges influential APC figures in Osun opposed the move over fears of its political implications.

• Salam says Adeleke remains in the Accord Party and is confident ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The Chairman of the Imole Campaign Council (ICC), Rep. Bamidele Salam, has alleged that influential leaders of the All Progressives Congress (APC) frustrated Governor Ademola Adeleke’s planned defection to the ruling party.

Salam claimed Adeleke had seriously considered joining the APC after receiving invitations and holding consultations with key stakeholders within the party but eventually abandoned the move due to internal resistance from some APC leaders in Osun State.

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According to him, opposition to Adeleke’s proposed defection came from party members who feared that his entry into the APC would alter the political equation ahead of future elections in the state.

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He said the governor had responded positively to discussions about joining the party and engaged in consultations with major political actors before the process reportedly stalled.

Salam alleged that some influential figures within the APC openly opposed Adeleke’s admission and mounted pressure against the move.

“There are people in the APC, especially in Osun State, who felt very uncomfortable with Governor Adeleke joining the party led by the Minister of Blue Economy, Alhaji Gboyega Oyetola,” he said.

The lawmaker further claimed that Adeleke withdrew from the proposed defection after it became evident that there was no consensus within the APC regarding his admission.

He also referenced comments allegedly made by former Osun governor and APC chieftain, Otunba Iyiola Omisore, suggesting that concerns within the party were linked to fears that Adeleke’s entry could affect the political ambitions of some APC members ahead of the next governorship election.

Speaking on the governor’s current political position, Salam said Adeleke remains in the Accord Party, adding that he has continued to strengthen the platform since leaving the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

According to Salam, Adeleke exited the PDP because of prolonged leadership disputes within the party at a critical period when preparations for candidate nominations were underway.

“The Governor left the PDP then because the party had no definitive leadership and the window for the nomination of candidates was about to close,” he said.

He added that Adeleke’s move to the Accord Party has boosted the party’s profile in Osun State and attracted fresh political support from across the country.

Salam also expressed confidence that Adeleke remains popular among voters ahead of the August 15, 2026, Osun governorship election.

He, however, raised concerns over recent incidents of violence in the state and called on security agencies, particularly the Inspector-General of Police, to intensify efforts to protect residents and ensure a peaceful, free and credible electoral process.

The lawmaker urged security agencies to remain neutral and provide adequate protection for voters, electoral officials and political actors before, during and after the governorship election.