A political group, Osun Democrats for Democracy (ODD) has urged Governor Ademola Adeleke to join the All Progressives Congress (APC) to support President Bola Tinubu and complete his ongoing transformation of Osun state.
In a statement issued in Osogbo, on Wednesday, and signed by its director of publicity, Comrade Adeoye Fasipe, the group said political trends at the state and national levels compel political realignments where old enemies will become friends for the sake of Osun state, Yoruba nation and the southern presidency.
The statement reads as follows:
“In view of compelling reasons among which are the need to support Mr President in the face of national gang up, the uncertainty within the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the need for ease of continuity after 2026, we respectfully call on Governor Ademola Adeleke to join the APC.
“ We recognise that defection is almost the highest level of sacrifice, the national situation however compels all hands to be on deck to support our son, President Tinubu, to survive and to get re-elected and for Mr Governor to complete his laudable good governance delivery with ease through people’s support and divine cover.
“ The PDP is already a factionalised party with unsure grounds for electoral contest. We will not advise Mr Governor to continue to stay in a political party that is sure to have problems as per its nomination process for 2026 and 2027 elections.
“ The opposition coalition is not an option for two major reasons. The ADC or whichever platform is already in a legal trap or facing multiple ones. Secondly, no Yoruba Governor should belong to an alliance dedicated to removing a Yoruba President from office. We cannot work against a Yoruba man to favour an Hausa/Fulani man as a replacement.
“As we are appealing to Governor Adeleke, we also call on the Osun State APC and President Bola Tinubu to realise the huge sacrifice the Governor will be making if he agrees to join the APC. As a popular Governor who has performed so well, the President must ensure full presidential leverage for such defection.
“We also invite Osun APC to be prepared for a new political life where old rivals may become friends. If Osun APC has the interest of President Tinubu at heart, they must accept that a defection by Governor Adeleke is the biggest light in the re-election bid of President Tinubu”, the group noted.
The group called on the leadership of the Osun state PDP to accept its call for defection to APC in good faith in the interest of Osun state, Yorubaland and southern Nigeria.