The African Democratic Congress (ADC) has strongly criticised Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, following his endorsement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027.
The party, through its state chairman, Charles Omidiji, described Adeleke’s decision as politically inconsistent and predicted that the move would not prevent his defeat in the 2026 Osun governorship election.
Governor Adeleke, alongside former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola and other top leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), openly declared support for Tinubu’s re-election bid while choosing to remain within the PDP fold. The announcement was made via a communique released after a high-level PDP stakeholders’ meeting held in Osun State.
The communique also reaffirmed Adeleke as the PDP’s sole candidate for the 2026 Osun governorship election. It stated that Osun PDP recognises Tinubu as a son of the soil and has chosen to support his 2027 presidential ambition in that regard.
However, the ADC did not take the decision lightly. Charles Omidiji, in a statement on Tuesday, accused Governor Adeleke of political double-dealing, arguing that endorsing a rival party’s presidential candidate while staying in the PDP showed a lack of conviction.
“Adeleke’s refusal to join the APC will not save him. If he had defected, that would have marked the end of both APC and PDP in Osun. But as it stands, ADC will produce the next Osun governor,” Omidiji asserted.
The ADC, which now boasts former Osun Governor Rauf Aregbesola as its Interim National Secretary, expressed confidence in its chances in the upcoming election, declaring that Adeleke’s current political maneuvers would only reduce the margin of his inevitable defeat.
The communique from the PDP meeting also addressed Adeleke’s reasons for not defecting to the APC, stating that many APC members in Osun were not receptive to the idea, with some publicly attacking him on media platforms. It further noted that while some PDP members were uncomfortable with the idea of a possible defection, many had pledged loyalty to Adeleke regardless of his political direction.
Despite the growing tension, Adeleke has maintained his stance to remain in the PDP while supporting Tinubu, a decision that continues to stir reactions across political lines in Osun State.
