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OSUN PDP UNANIMOUSLY BACKS GOVERNOR ADELEKE, PLEDGES LOYALTY IN DEFECTION SPECULATION

The Osun State chapter of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has thrown its weight behind Governor Ademola Adeleke, pledging unwavering loyalty and support for whatever political direction he chooses. This development comes amid mounting speculation of Adeleke’s potential defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC). At a high-level caucus meeting held at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, the Osun PDP passed a unanimous vote of confidence in Governor Adeleke. According to a communique issued after the meeting and signed by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, “Osun PDP leadership caucus today passed a vote of confidence on Governor Ademola Adeleke, unanimously supporting any decision the Governor takes on the growing rumour of defection to another political party.” The meeting, attended by stakeholders across party and government structures, including members of the National and State Assemblies, top government officials, PDP state executives, elders of the party, and members of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON), mandated Adeleke to continue consultations with all stakeholders locally and nationally. The communique stated, “The leaders who praised the Governor’s leadership and performance in office mandated him to continue consultations with all stakeholders locally and nationally.” It also noted that the governor has not yet made a final decision, with the meeting recognizing that “the Governor is still consulting on next lines of action.” The PDP state leadership resolved to follow Adeleke wherever he goes, signaling a strong show of solidarity. “In the communique, the PDP state leadership resolved to follow Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke wherever he goes,” the statement read. Meanwhile, APC leaders are reportedly considering accepting Adeleke into the party, viewing his potential defection as a strategic advantage that could tilt control of Osun State in their favor. However, Osun APC Chairman, Sooko Taju Lawal, claimed, “We are not aware or involved in the process of Adeleke joining APC.” Adeleke has since denied rumors of his defection, affirming his loyalty to the PDP. “I assure the good people of Osun that I remain part and parcel of the PDP family. I am not defecting to any party,” he declared.

OSUN GOVERNOR ADELEKE DECLARES LOYALTY TO PDP, DISMISSES DEFECTION RUMORS

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has firmly restated his commitment to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), dismissing rumors of his imminent defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC) or any other party. The assurance came during a high-level stakeholders’ meeting held in Osogbo, where party leaders, elders, and elected officials gathered to address internal cohesion and future political direction. “I am not defecting to APC or any other political party. I remain in PDP. Ignore any fake news,” Governor Adeleke declared. The meeting, attended by top party leaders, including the State Chairman, Hon Sunday Bisi, and House Speaker, Rt Hon Adewale Egbedun, passed a vote of confidence and endorsement on the state governor for his leadership. The stakeholders’ forum also resolved to reendorse Governor Adeleke for a second term as the sole candidate of the party for the 2026 election. The meeting commended the state leadership of the party for managing the party affairs with calm and wisdom, declaring that the State PDP is strongly footed to win future contests. The communique issued at the end of the meeting welcomed and applauded the governor’s declaration that he has no plan to defect to the APC or any other party. It also hailed the party executive and leaders for remaining steadfast with the PDP and rejecting recent defections. With the governor’s declaration and the resolutions reached at the stakeholders’ forum, the Osun PDP appears poised to move forward in unity, with party members leaving the meeting with renewed confidence in the leadership of Governor Adeleke and optimism about the PDP’s prospects in upcoming electoral contests.

TINUBU’S STATE OF EMERGENCY IN RIVERS STATE CONDEMNED BY PDP CHIEFTAIN

The Chairman of the PDP Caretaker Committee in Ekiti State, Hon. Dare Adeleke, has strongly condemned the state of emergency declared by President Bola Tinubu in Rivers State. In a statement, Adeleke described the president’s pronouncement as illegal, warning that it could tear the country apart and plunge Nigeria into anarchy. In a statement, the Chairman of the PDP Ekiti Caretaker Committee, Hon. Dare Adeleke, said: “It is shocking that President Tinubu has embarked on a mission to weaken Nigeria’s democracy and destroy the very fabric on which it stands.” Adeleke stated that Tinubu’s actions are a desperate bid to seize Rivers State ahead of 2027, hand in hand with his loyalist, Nyesom Wike. Adeleke noted that Tinubu has blatantly ignored the 1999 Constitution by appointing a retired military officer, Admiral Ibokette Ibas, to govern Rivers State after suspending the governor and the state’s National Assembly under the guise of protecting national interests. “The president, who swore to protect democracy and the people, has embarked on a reckless mission that could tear the country apart and push it into anarchy,” Adeleke said. Dare Adeleke also condemned Wike’s role in the crisis, describing him as a traitor to his party, the PDP, who is shamelessly oppressing his own people. “All because he wants to play godfather, continue ruling Rivers by proxy, and continue to exploit its resources,” Adeleke added. Adeleke called on the judiciary to restore Nigerians’ trust in the institution and to put President Tinubu in check. He also urged the National Assembly to refuse to be complicit in this “disgraceful abuse of power” and called on the international community to intervene.

GOVERNOR ADELEKE MUST REMEDY OFFICE BREACH OF OATH, SAYS APC

The All Progressives Congress (APC) has condemned Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun state for conducting a local government election in flagrant disregard for the rule of law and a valid judgment of the Court of Appeal. National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, Esq., said in a statement that the election held on February 22, 2025, was a “disgraceful sham, illegal, unconstitutional and violently contemptuous of the valid and subsisting judgment of the Court of Appeal”. Morka stated that the Court of Appeal had reinstated elected local government officials sacked by Governor Adeleke’s executive order, and that the APC had exercised restraint and respect for the rule of law despite the adverse decision of the Federal High Court. He questioned why Governor Adeleke refused to abide by the valid order of the Court of Appeal, and why he was determined to incite anarchy in Osun state. Felix Morka emphasized that Governor Adeleke was under constitutional obligation to respect and uphold the laws of the land, including giving effect to binding court judgments. He urged the Governor to immediately end his push for fresh local government election and abide by the valid judgment of the Court of Appeal. The APC also called on local government workers in Osun state to go about their duties peacefully and in line with the authority of the judicially reinstated chairmen and councillors. Morka further stated that the Federal Government should make federal allocation for local governments available only to democratically elected and judicially certified local government officials in Osun state.

OSUN STATE GOVERNMENT REJECTS POLICE ADVICE ON LG ELECTION, INSISTS ON COURT ORDERS AND PEACEFUL PROCESS

The Osun State Government has rejected security advice from the Nigerian Police Force regarding the local government election, stating that the advice contradicts the rule of law and democratic principles. In a statement, the government emphasized that Osun remains peaceful and committed to obeying court orders. The state government, under the leadership of His Excellency, Governor Ademola Adeleke, reviewed the police proposal and concluded that it was biased, partisan, and in violation of democratic tenets. Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, stated that the police’s pretence of serving public good while promoting the illegality of the All Progressives Congress (APC) reinforced the government’s decision to reject what it described as a “Greek gift.” Alimi further accused the police of breaching best practices by openly supporting the APC, which he claimed is pushing for illegality through a non-existent court order. He highlighted how the police allegedly aided the APC in enforcing a reinstatement order that was never issued by any court of law. “A law enforcement agency has suddenly become a partisan wing of a political party, the APC, thereby losing all toga of a fair law agency,” Alimi said. The statement also drew attention to a recent court judgment, which affirmed vacancies in Osun councils by authenticating the sacking of APC council chieftains. The court directed the police and other security agencies to provide security for the election and gave the go-ahead for fresh local government elections to be held on Saturday, February 22. Alimi expressed disappointment that the police, instead of obeying the court order, continued to pursue a partisan agenda. “If the police chooses to disobey court orders, the Osun State Government will not go against the rule of law,” Alimi stated. He reiterated the government’s commitment to supporting the State Electoral Commission in conducting credible, free, and fair elections on Saturday. The government thanked the police for their advice but respectfully turned down the request. Alimi urged Osun voters to peacefully exercise their voting rights on Saturday, emphasizing the state’s dedication to upholding democratic principles and the rule of law. Signed by Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the statement concluded with a call for all stakeholders to prioritize peace and legality in the electoral process.