Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has dismissed speculation that his recent meeting with President Bola Tinubu was a prelude to his defection from the Accord Party to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
The clarification was issued by the Imole Campaign Council, which coordinated Adeleke’s campaign during the August 15 governorship election, following reports that the governor was considering joining the APC after meeting the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.
In a statement on Friday, the Chairman of the council’s Media and Publicity Committee, Bamidele Salam, said Adeleke’s visit was a customary courtesy call following the conclusion of the off-cycle election.
According to Salam, the governor used the occasion to thank Tinubu and discuss matters relating to peace, security and the development of Osun State.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the visit of Mr Governor and top members of his campaign team had absolutely nothing to do with a plan to move from Accord to the All Progressives Congress,” the council said.
It further stated that “at no stage during the visit to Mr President was the issue of decamping to the APC discussed”.
The council explained that Adeleke had a responsibility to visit the President after securing victory in the election, particularly as Tinubu had earlier called on security agencies and the electoral authorities to ensure a free and fair exercise.
It added that the meeting also provided an opportunity for both leaders to discuss measures to sustain peace and stability in Osun following a keenly contested election.
Receiving Adeleke at the Presidential Villa, Tinubu congratulated him on his electoral victory but urged the governor not to use the outcome of the election to victimise or stigmatise his opponents.
The President advised Adeleke to regard the victory as a democratic mandate rather than a triumph over political rivals.
“Don’t stigmatise any of your opponents,” Tinubu said, urging the governor to return to Osun and govern in a manner that promotes unity and stability.
“You did not conquer anybody. You won an election. That is the essence of democracy,” he added.
Tinubu further urged Adeleke to focus on strengthening unity, peace and the rule of law, stressing that the governor was in a position to make history through his leadership of the state.
The President attributed Adeleke’s victory to the will of the people and divine providence, rather than individual political calculations.
“Where you are today, God put you there,” Tinubu said.
He also commended Adeleke and his campaign team for their mobilisation efforts during the election and urged the governor to translate the electoral mandate into effective governance.
The development has put to rest, at least for now, speculation over a possible political realignment involving the Osun governor and the ruling APC, with the Imole Campaign Council insisting that the meeting with Tinubu was strictly a post-election courtesy and governance engagement.
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