Adeleke’s Visit to Tinubu Customary, No Plan to Join APC — Campaign Council

 

By Abdulahi Musa 

The Imole Campaign Council has dismissed reports suggesting that Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), following his recent visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House.

The council described the governor’s visit as customary and consistent with Nigeria’s political tradition following off-cycle elections.

In a statement on Friday, the Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of the Imole Campaign Council, Rep. Bamidele Salam, said Adeleke’s visit was to show respect and appreciation to the President after emerging victorious in the August 15 governorship election.

Salam said the President, in his pre-election statements, had repeatedly charged the Independent National Electoral Commission and security agencies to ensure a free and fair election in Osun State.

He added that the meeting also provided an opportunity for Tinubu and Adeleke to discuss issues concerning peace, security and the development of the state following the tense election period.

“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,” Salam said.

He stressed that the issue of defection was not discussed at any point during the governor’s meeting with the President.

“We wish to state unequivocally that at no stage during the visit to Mr President was the issue of decamping to the APC discussed,” he added.

The campaign council appreciated Tinubu for granting Adeleke and members of his team the opportunity to visit him, while assuring supporters that the governor remained committed to serving the people of Osun State.

Adeleke was declared winner of the August 15 governorship election with 511,067 votes, defeating the APC candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, who polled 444,815 votes.