Adeleke’s aides, Accord members defect to APC
By Ismail Azeez
The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State on Monday has received former loyalists of Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke at the Ilerioluwa Campaign Office, Ogo-Oluwa, Osogbo.
Among the defectors are Honorable Kazeem Azeez Olatunde, Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ademola Adeleke; Mr. Lukman, Special Assistant to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Market Affairs; Dr. Leye Olagbaju, a former House of Representatives aspirant; and Mr. Gbenga Ogunmuyide Asamo (popularly known as ASA), the Youth Leader of the Accord Party in Ife Central, among others.
Introducing the new entrants into the APC fold, Engr. Remi Omowaiye unveiled notable figures from the Accord Party, including Dr. Olagbaju, a prominent political figure in Ife; Mr. Asamon Gbenga Ogunmuyide; and Hon. Ojuolape Olagbaju, who is also a former House of Representatives aspirant.
According to Omowaiye, the APC will continue to receive defectors in batches rather than merely publicizing resignation letters on social media.
“We are not interested in publishing resignation letters on social media. What we are focused on is receiving our people back into the progressive family in batches. The momentum is clearly on our side,” Omowaiye said.
Speaking during the event, the Director-General of the APC Campaign Council, Hon. Oluwole Oke, described the development as another indication that the political tide in Osun State is shifting ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
“I am delighted to welcome these prominent Accord Party members in Osun State, some of whom also served as aides to Governor Ademola Adeleke, and who have voluntarily resolved to join the APC.”
“It is obvious that the wind of change blowing across Osun State cannot be stopped. More aides of Governor Ademola Adeleke have already submitted their resignation letters and expressed their intention to join the APC. We will be receiving them in stages,” Oke stated.
The federal lawmaker further expressed confidence in the APC’s chances at the forthcoming governorship election, adding that more political actors would publicly declare their support for the party in the coming weeks.
The defectors were subsequently decorated with the official APC emblem and welcomed into the party amid cheers from supporters and party faithful.
Speaking on behalf of the new members, Dr. Leye Olagbaju expressed satisfaction with his decision to join the APC.
“I am happy to become a member of the APC. With the political structure we have built over the years, we are ready to support Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO) and work for victory,” he said.
Similarly, Mr. Gbenga Ogunmuyide pledged the support of his followers to the APC governorship candidate, stating they are prepared to provide the necessary support to ensure the emergence of Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji as the next Governor of Osun State.
Another defector, Mr. Lukman, the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Market Affairs, noted that his decision was informed by a desire to return to his political roots and join hands with others to work for the success of AMBO in the forthcoming election.
Among the APC leaders present at the event were the Deputy Governorship Candidate, Engr. Benjamin Kayode Adereti; the Immediate Past Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Timothy Owoeye; the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Protocol, Ambassador Issah Adedotun Niniola; former Head of Service of Osun State, Dr. Olugboyega Oyebade; the member representing Ife Federal Constituency, Hon. Taofeek Ajilesoro; and the former Commissioner for Works, Engr. Remi Omowaiye.
The event is seen by party supporters as a significant boost to the APC’s grassroots mobilization efforts as political activities gather momentum ahead of the 2026 Osun governorship poll.