Nigerian Concord Newspaper
The Pioneer National Chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Adebisi Akande has expressed resentment at the defection of Governor Ademola Adeleke from People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to the party.
He explained that the planned defection of Governor Adeleke from PDP to APC at present is “politically dangerous, morally confusing, and strategically ill-advised”.
Akande former Governor of Osun State warned that Governor Adeleke’s Defection to APC Ahead of 2026 governorship election will do more damage to APC rather than helping it.
According to him, “Let Him Test His Popularity at the Poll First before defecting into APC.
Akande maintained that allowing Governor Adeleke to defect to the APC after benefiting from the platform of the now-crippled Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) would undermine the party’s credibility and insult the loyalty of long-standing APC members in Osun State.
“Let him test his popularity at the 2026 polls. If the people of Osun still stand with him, he can then consider joining APC as a free citizen, not as a sitting governor hiding under a collapsing structure.”
Chief Akande, known for his candor and principled approach to party politics, insisted that the APC must remain a disciplined platform with ideological clarity. He said the party must not become “a dumping ground” for political actors abandoning ship in search of survival.
“We formed the APC not as a shelter for politicians seeking relevance after failure, but as a movement grounded in progressive ideas and accountable leadership. Governor Adeleke’s defection at this stage would distort that vision,” he said.
“Osun APC must not be sacrificed for temporary political deals. Those who have built the party from scratch, who stood firm through electoral defeats and court battles, cannot be asked to step aside for someone who only just yesterday led the charge against us.”
Chief Akande also cautioned the national leadership of the APC and party stakeholders in the South-West to resist any temptation to hastily accept Governor Adeleke into the fold without thorough consultation with the Osun APC structure.
He further advised that any defection must be done post-election, when the people have spoken, and when individuals come into the party on the strength of merit, not calculation.