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Chief Bisi Akande Warns Against Governor Adeleke’s Defection to APC Ahead of 2026 governorship election.

“Let Him Test His Popularity at the Poll First” – Former Osun Governor Declares

Former Governor of Osun State and pioneer National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Adebisi Akande, has issued a firm statement rejecting any plans for the defection of Governor Ademola Adeleke to the APC ahead of the 2026 elections.

Describing such a move as “politically dangerous, morally confusing, and strategically ill-advised,” Chief Akande warned that allowing Governor Adeleke to defect to the APC after benefiting from the platform of the now-crippled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would undermine the party’s credibility and insult the loyalty of long-standing APC members in Osun State.

“Let him test his popularity at the 2026 polls. If the people of Osun still stand with him, he can then consider joining APC as a free citizen, not as a sitting governor hiding under a collapsing structure.”

“The APC Is Not a Refuge for Collapsing Politicians”

Chief Akande, known for his candor and principled approach to party politics, insisted that the APC must remain a disciplined platform with ideological clarity. He said the party must not become “a dumping ground” for political actors abandoning ship in search of survival.

“We formed the APC not as a shelter for politicians seeking relevance after failure, but as a movement grounded in progressive ideas and accountable leadership. Governor Adeleke’s defection at this stage would distort that vision,” he said.

“Osun APC must not be sacrificed for temporary political deals. Those who have built the party from scratch, who stood firm through electoral defeats and court battles, cannot be asked to step aside for someone who only just yesterday led the charge against us.”

Chief Akande also cautioned the national leadership of the APC and party stakeholders in the South-West to resist any temptation to hastily accept Governor Adeleke into the fold without thorough consultation with the Osun APC structure.

He further advised that any defection must be done post-election, when the people have spoken, and when individuals come into the party on the strength of merit, not calculation. he concludes.





https://www.newsindicator.com.ng/2025/07/13/chief-bisi-akande-warns-against-governor-adelekes-defection-to-apc-ahead-of-2026-governorship-election/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLghEVjbGNrAuCEOGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEeZJKzB7bWWxkubxFEuIhjhPzMytWgwzKKHN03z8U7yy0xhZYp1HMe3W5Q82E_aem_YAWtQb3kpH_eTjbclfwH2Q

Adeleke rumour defection na Prank Cameraman, Lets go home.
🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

APC Is Not a Refuge for Collapsing
Politicians - Baba Bisi Akande

It reached Adeleke turn, he's been rejected on every side. He should work on himself. That man na big failure in governance

I don't know what is wrong with these people. Don't they want people to defect to the APC and increase Tinubu's support base?

Adeleke must defect to the APC.

Whether they like it or not, it's his right.

Every Nigerian has the right to freedom of association.

One party state is the beginning of what to come

OP, where is the source?

This is arguably the messiest defection story ever. Too many interest will have to be sacrificed if the defection is to happen.

Adeleke would disrupt a lot of settings in the party structure in Osun state. Personally, I want him to lose the election next year and get chased out of Osun State government house. However, political expediency trumps personal feelings.

I hope there is extensive consultation with stakeholders in the state and also proper decision on sharing of party and government positions between the Governor’s camp and the existing party members.

In politics, it should always be the more the merrier. If the APC structure and the Adeleke/PDP structure can be merged together, it is a big advantage to APC and Mr. President. Winning Osun state by 50% is good but it’s far better if we can put up a coalition that can deliver 80% in 2027.

Whats the source of this story? Is it confirmed from Akande or the usual social media narrative?

seunmsg:
This is arguably the messiest defection story ever. Too many interest will have to be sacrificed if the defection is to happen.

You mean oyetola interest? Adeleke can easily deliver osun for Tinubu so let him come

Shawarmagirl:
Adeleke must defect to APC whether they like it or not. He must rule them and those gaslighting his government will bow to call him Sir.

Absolutely

I very much agree with Chief Bisi Akande. Let's not repeat the Aregbesola mistake again in Osun State.

seunmsg:
OP, where is the source?

This is arguably the messiest defection story ever. Too many interests will have to be sacrificed if the defection is to happen.

Adeleke would disrupt a lot of settings in the party structure in Osun State. I want him to lose the election next year and get chased out of the Osun State government house. However, political expediency trumps personal feelings.

I hope there is extensive consultation with stakeholders in the state and also a proper decision on the sharing of party and government positions between the Governor’s camp and the existing party members.

In politics, it should always be the more the merrier. If the APC structure and the Adeleke/PDP structure can be merged, it is a big advantage to the APC and Mr. President. Winning Osun state by 50% is good but it’s far better if we can put up a coalition that can deliver 80% in 2027.

You are right. As an APC member, I don't want another crisis in Osun that will make long-standing members aggrieved. We need all hands on deck as we march towards the 2027 general election.
Those concerned at both the national and state levels should nip this in the bud now before it turns messy, chaotic, and confusing.

He wants to dance his way into APC to make up for a failed first term and the president's cousin also wants to be governor on APC ticket... Hehe, interesting times ahead.

TonyeBarcanista:
Whats the source of this story? Is it confirmed from Akande or the usual social media narrative?

yes now. Baba Akande have spoken. Adeleke decamping na prank

https://www.newsindicator.com.ng/2025/07/13/chief-bisi-akande-warns-against-governor-adelekes-defection-to-apc-ahead-of-2026-governorship-election/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwLghEVjbGNrAuCEOGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEeZJKzB7bWWxkubxFEuIhjhPzMytWgwzKKHN03z8U7yy0xhZYp1HMe3W5Q82E_aem_YAWtQb3kpH_eTjbclfwH2Q

Shawarmagirl:
Adeleke must defect to APC whether they like it or not. He must rule them and those gaslighting his government will bow to call him Sir.

Adeleke decamp na prank. Not true at all.

Demola will lose the 2026 election, I can assure you of that. If you allow him into the fold, that is the end; the party will experience massive defection, and ADC might take over the state.

This is it: People outside don't know what's up in Osun. Adeleke has lost the aura he came in with in 2022, and he would lose woefully in 2026—this is clear. Bringing him on board now will destroy the cohesion in the party. I am strongly against bringing him in. He played very dirty and bad politics in the last three years. Men were murdered in cold blood, Ilesha was on fire, Ife was mad—blood all around. And you expect APC guys to bring him in? Things don't work that way. Demola cannot be trusted; if allowed into that party, the first thing he would do is seize the political structure. Someone that is already asking for a National Secretary position—you should know he knows what's up and may be a snitch for the prematured ADC. Whoever is trying to facilitate this move for him is a traitor and does not really understand the dynamics of what is on the ground. The crux of the matter is, APC will win without Demola.

It seems only the presidency is giving a sort of greenlight to this defection of Adeleke. APC members in Osun are not really interested in his defection.

Ofunaofu:
I don't know what is wrong with these people. Don't they want people to defect to the APC and increase Tinubu's support base?

Adeleke must defect to the APC.

Whether they like it or not, it's his right.

Every Nigerian has the right to freedom of association.

If I were you and a true supporter of Obi and ADC, I will use the opportunity to bring Adeleke since ADC has no single serving governor yet. ADC is still structureless as at now. APC have more than enough governors while ADC has none and Labour party has "half of one" on the sideline of LP crisis that may even decamp at anytime he wishes. Can you still remember what impact of serving governor may be? Ask Wike how he did the magic of Tinubu in 2023 that opposition were left stranded

The source of this news is questionable

sreamsense:
If I were you and a true supporter of Obi and ADC, I will use the opportunity to bring Adeleke since ADC has no single serving governor yet. ADC is still structureless as at now. APC have more than enough governors while ADC has none and Labour party has "half of one" on the sideline of LP crisis that may even decamp at anytime he wishes. Can you still remember what impact of serving governor may be? Ask Wike how he did the magic of Tinubu in 2023 that opposition were left stranded

The only 'magic' Wike did was the kind that disappears ballot integrity. Let’s not pretend it was political genius, it was rigging, plain and simple. Tinubu isn't banking on popularity or performance; he's relying on the same playbook of manipulation because he knows the masses can’t stand him.

You talk about structures, yet forget that the most important structure is the People
As for ADC and Labour, we may not have dozens of compromised governors, but we have credibility something Tinubu and APC lost a long time ago. Power built on fraud is a house of cards. And guess what? 2027 is coming with a wind strong enough to blow it all down.
if they refused to count the votes, we count the people

You can never force yourself on people that built their party from the scratch. Adeleke's defeat is sacrosanct. Why running from pillar to post. He's a goner

Akpakomiza2:
You mean oyetola interest? Adeleke can easily deliver osun for Tinubu so let him come

He deliverd for Atiku with a slim margin. And what about those in PDP that decamped to APC because of him, will they stay in APC when he joins the party?. How about those in APC that are protesting against him, will they also stay back when he joins?