Osun Governor Won't Join APC, Will Work With Federal Government, Says Spokesman

Speculation that Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke plans to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC) has been firmly dismissed by his campaign spokesman, Pelumi Olajengbesi. Olajengbesi clarified that Adeleke's recent visit to President Bola Tinubu was a courtesy call, intended to show respect for the office of the President.

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The visit of Governor Ademola Adeleke to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria is the proper thing to do. It is the norm; it is the standard.

According to Olajengbesi, the visit also served to thank President Tinubu for ensuring a level playing field during the recent Osun State governorship election. He emphasized that Nigeria is a federation and that Osun State, as part of the Nigerian government, needs to maintain a relationship with the Federal Government. Adeleke's visit, he stressed, was a standard and proper procedure for a state governor.

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Osun State is a sub-nation now under the Nigerian government, and we don’t intend to take Osun State out of Nigeria. So we understand, and I think the governor deemed it necessary to pay a courtesy call to Mr President as a sign of respect to the office of the President.

During the meeting, Governor Adeleke reportedly commended Tinubu for allowing democratic institutions to function independently during the election. He also appealed for the President's support in strengthening these institutions and preventing their manipulation. Olajengbesi stated that the governor's visit aimed to amplify the aspirations of the people of Osun State and foster healing and unity after the election, with President Tinubu agreeing on the need to unite the state.

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The visit of Mr Governor to Mr President is not taking the people of Osun State for granted, but the intention is to amplify the aspiration of the people of Osun State.

Despite the governor's engagement with the President, Olajengbesi categorically ruled out any possibility of Adeleke joining the APC, calling it an "impossibility." He assured that Governor Adeleke would collaborate with the Federal Government to drive progress in both Nigeria and Osun State, while remaining committed to his own political party.

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Mr President has said to Mr Governor that this is the best time for us to unite our people in Osun State. And he’s in line with the speech and the position of Mr Governor, that it is time to heal the wound of the people of Osun State.