Ademola Adeleke defection rumors denied. The Osun governor affirms his PDP loyalty and rules out alliance with ADC ahead of the 2026 governorship election

Ademola Adeleke defection rumors have been firmly denied by the Osun State Governor, who says he remains fully committed to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) ahead of the 2026 governorship election.

Also read: OSUN PDP seeks direction from Governor Adeleke as Senators endorse Tinubu for second term

In a statement released on Friday through his media aide, Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke described the speculation of a planned move to the African Democratic Congress (ADC) or any alliance with the opposition party as “baseless and false.”

“Our attention has been drawn to news reports and media enquiries about the imminent defection of Governor Adeleke to the ADC or alignment with ADC big wigs ahead of the 2026 governorship race. There is no truth in those publications and speculations,” the statement read.

Adeleke emphasized that both he and the PDP in Osun have already endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election—eliminating the possibility of collaborating with another party.

He added that the PDP has also endorsed him as its 2026 governorship candidate, and he is confident of winning re-election without needing any opposition alliances.

“Governor Adeleke has no alliance with anyone in ADC. He remains in PDP, will run in PDP, and needs no alliance with ADC to win with a wide margin in 2026,” the statement emphasized.

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Crediting his popularity to his strong performance in office, Adeleke urged all PDP members to continue strengthening party structures at all levels in preparation for another electoral victory.