Former National Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Senator Iyiola Omisore, has described Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, as a “political orphan” allegedly struggling to gain entry into the ruling party, amidst growing speculation of his potential defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Speaking on ChannelsTV Politics Today on Wednesday, Omisore dismissed claims that Adeleke is being courted by the APC following meetings involving his family, President Bola Tinubu, and other party leaders.

“I have never seen a situation where a sitting governor is trying so hard to join another party,” Omisore remarked. “The PDP is no longer relevant in Osun. Half of its members have defected. Aregbesola’s faction has moved to the ADC. So Adeleke is now a political orphan. If they want to come to the APC, they should approach us formally.”

Omisore claimed Adeleke, his elder brother Adedeji Adeleke, and other family members, including Afrobeats star Davido, met with President Tinubu in Lagos as part of a broader effort to secure the governor’s acceptance into the APC.

“They even contacted Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State to assist with the move. They are trying every possible means,” Omisore said.

He further questioned Adeleke’s popularity, suggesting that a truly influential governor should be able to win elections from a different platform, citing former governors Orji Uzor Kalu and Alex Otti as examples.

“If you are genuinely popular, take another party and win. That is what true leaders do. But this is the first time I’m seeing a governor so desperate to join another party. He’s lobbying, pushing to get in. Yet, you must be accepted by stakeholders within the party. Politics is very local. What value is he bringing?” Omisore queried.

The former senator also downplayed Adeleke’s impact on the political landscape, arguing that there has been no significant movement from the APC to the PDP since Adeleke assumed office.

“In the 2022 governorship election, the APC had 375,000 votes, while the PDP secured 403,000 — a slim margin of 3.97 percent. And that was when key figures like Aregbesola worked against us. Many of those people have now returned to APC,” he said.

Omisore noted that several prominent PDP members have defected to the APC, including Alhaji Isa Oyedokun, Dayo Babayemi, and Hon. Wole Oke.

Governor Adeleke, however, has consistently denied plans to leave the PDP. In a post on his official X account dated 5 July, he reaffirmed his commitment to the party.

“I have been inundated with calls regarding rumours of a possible defection. I want to assure the good people of Osun State and Nigerians at large: I remain a loyal member and the leader of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun State.

“My focus remains on delivering good governance and fulfilling our 5-point agenda for the Osun people. Please disregard the fake news and continue to support our mission for a better Osun State,” he stated.

This is not the first time Adeleke has dismissed defection rumours. In May, during a meeting with key PDP stakeholders, he reiterated that he had no intention of joining the APC.

Nonetheless, speculation has persisted, fuelled by the governor’s private visit to President Tinubu’s Ikoyi residence in Lagos on 3 June, alongside his brother and nephew, Davido, in the midst of deepening internal strife and defections within the PDP.