The political climate in Osun State is beginning to heat up ahead of the 2026 governorship election, following a statement by the former Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Timothy Owoeye, dismissing any chances of the Adeleke family finding relevance within the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Owoeye, while reacting to a meeting between President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and members of the Adeleke family including Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke; his brother and billionaire businessman, Dr. Deji Adeleke; and popular Afrobeat singer, David Adeleke (known as Davido) declared that there is “no space” for the Adelekes in Osun APC.
In his words: “I am saying this categorically the APC ticket is not for sale. As of today, we don’t see Adeleke as a member or part of the APC. Let me be sincere with you, the APC in Osun is the party to beat.
If not for the fear of the unknown disturbing the Adeleke family and the PDP, they would not be showing interest in the APC. We have said it over and over again if not for the brigandage that followed the 2022 and 2023 elections, PDP wouldn’t have produced elected officials across Osun.
Now that the Adeleke family knows their tenure ends on August 8, 2026, they’re becoming jittery. But let me assure you, we are taking back Osun. There’s no space for PDP or Adeleke in the APC.”
However, the statement has not gone unchallenged.
Reacting via his verified X handle, Honourable Akin Alabi a prominent APC chieftain and current Chairman of the House Committee on Works, representing Egbeda/Ona Ara Federal Constituency in Oyo State described Owoeye’s comment as undemocratic and divisive.
“‘Ticket not for sale’ good point,” Alabi wrote. “But saying there is no space for someone (let alone a sitting governor) in our party makes no sense and even goes against the tenets of democracy. There is space for everyone in our party.”
Political observers say the latest exchange may be an early sign of the battles to come, as power blocs within the APC position themselves ahead of the next electoral cycle.
While the Adeleke camp has not officially declared any intention to join the APC with the spokesperson for the governor, Olawale Rasheed, saying his principal would not defect to any political party
“He remains a bonafide member and leader of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in Osun State. The media speculation about likely or imminent defection is fake news. Governor Adeleke remains a member and leader of the PDP in Osun State.
The visit by the Adeleke dynasty to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is a routine courtesy visit. Any reading of defection agenda into the visit is mere fake news,” Rasheed said in a statement.
The visit to President Tinubu has nonetheless sparked speculations about a possible political realignment.
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