Politics

Tension in ADC as Adeleke, Oyinlola Back Tinubu for 2027 While Staying in PDP

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 23rd, 2025.

Tension in ADC as Adeleke, Oyinlola Back Tinubu for 2027 While Staying in PDP

ADC party

Osun State’s political space heated up on Tuesday after Governor Ademola Adeleke and former Governor Olagunsoye Oyinlola, along with several influential members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), publicly endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for a second term in 2027—even as they pledged to remain within the PDP.

The endorsement was part of a communiqué released after a high-level PDP stakeholders’ meeting in Osun, putting to rest speculation about Adeleke’s rumored defection to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Among those present at the meeting were Deputy Governor Kola Adewusi, Senator Lere Oyewumi (representing Osun East), state PDP Chairman Sunday Bisi, and former PDP National Secretary Prof. Wale Oladipo, among others.

The communiqué stated:

> “Recognizing Osun State as the ancestral home of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the PDP in Osun formally endorses him for re-election in the 2027 presidential election.”

Additionally, the PDP leaders reaffirmed their full support for Governor Adeleke’s re-election bid in the 2026 Osun governorship race, encouraging him and all party loyalists to remain within the PDP.

> “Governor Ademola Adeleke remains the sole gubernatorial candidate of the PDP for the 2026 election. All party structures across Osun State are to align with this resolution,” the statement added.

However, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) criticized the move sharply. Osun ADC Chairman, Charles Omidiji, accused Adeleke of playing both sides and warned that his refusal to join the APC would not shield him from defeat in the next election.

> “If he had moved to the APC, both the APC and PDP would have crumbled in Osun. But whether he stays or goes, the ADC will emerge victorious in the 2026 election,” Omidiji asserted.

The PDP also shed light on why Adeleke chose not to defect to the APC, citing internal resistance and hostility from some APC leaders in Osun who were reportedly against his entry into their ranks.

> “The defection rumour didn’t originate from Governor Adeleke. Many APC members actively resisted the idea, and some even launched personal attacks against him on national media platforms,” the communiqué explained.

It also noted that although many PDP members were uncomfortable with the idea of Adeleke leaving the party, they were prepared to follow him out of loyalty if he had decided to do so.