“Don’t Be Deceived” – Adeleke Loyalist Denies Gov Plans To Join APC After Jan 16 Poll

A chieftain of the Accord Party and loyalist of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has dismissed claims that the governor plans to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) after the January 16 election.

Olajengbesi, who is the spokesperson of the Imole Campaign Council, described the claim as false and urged voters in the Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency not to be misled by what he called an attempt to trade on Adeleke’s goodwill.

In a statement on Friday, Olajengbesi said a particular APC candidate in the constituency had reportedly been telling voters that Adeleke would officially join the APC after the January 16 election, claiming that an understanding to that effect already existed between the governor and the party.

He declared, “The public should please note that this claim is false.

“Governor Ademola Adeleke will not be joining the APC after the January 16 election or after the presidential election.

“His support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu should not be misconstrued as an intention to defect to the APC or as an endorsement of APC candidates in other elections.”

Adeleke, who contested and won the August 15, 2026 Osun governorship election on the platform of Accord, has publicly said his support for President Tinubu was not based on any political agreement.

The governor said in August that he was not considering returning to the APC, adding that his support for Tinubu was based partly on the President being a Yoruba man and on his assessment of the President’s projects and reforms.

Olajengbesi said it was therefore misleading for any candidate to suggest that Adeleke’s support for Tinubu amounted to an endorsement of APC candidates or an agreement to defect to the party.

“We are surprised that this individual would now desperately attempt to trade on the goodwill of Mr. Governor to deceive and mislead the good people of Ijesa North,” he said.

Adding, “Political aspirations should be pursued on their own merit, not by creating impressions or understandings that do not exist.”

Olajengbesi also used the opportunity to announce that Accord was welcoming new members across the Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency.

He urged members of the APC and other political parties interested in joining Accord to approach their ward chairmen for documentation and integration.

“Our doors are open,” he stressed.

Olajengbesi is the Accord Party candidate for the Oriade/Obokun Federal Constituency seat in the House of Representatives in the forthcoming general elections. The lawyer and activist secured the party’s ticket in May and was subsequently presented with his certificate of return.

He also served as spokesperson of the Imole Campaign Council that coordinated Adeleke’s successful 2026 re-election campaign.

Following Adeleke’s victory, Olajengbesi described the outcome as “the will of the people of Osun State.”

The development comes amid increased political activity in Ijesa North ahead of the next round of elections, with political parties and candidates stepping up mobilisation across the constituency.