The Osun State House of Assembly has dismissed claims linking its members to a planned legislative training in the United States facilitated by a member of the House of Representatives representing Obokun Oriade Federal Constituency, Hon. Oluwole Oke, describing the narrative as misleading and politically motivated.
In a statement issued on Sunday, the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the House, Rt. Honourable Adewale Egbedun, Mr. Olamide Tiamiyu, described the rumour as a desperate move aimed at creating disaffection within the Assembly and the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state.
Mr Tiamiyu said the Speaker, Rt. Hon. Adewale Egbedun, and all 25 PDP lawmakers in the 8th Assembly remain united and committed to delivering legislative support to the administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke.
“The rumour suggesting that members of the Osun House of Assembly have been selected for a legislative training abroad as a prelude to defection is not only unfounded but a clear display of poor political calculation,” the statement read in part.
“It is delusional to think that legislators who represent the people diligently and have stayed true to the PDP’s ideals would fall for a political bait dressed as a foreign trip.”
Mr Tiamiyu further alleged that Hon. Oke, who has spent over two decades at the National Assembly, had no track record of offering such opportunities to his constituents, questioning the sudden gesture.
“Your Greek gift will not be welcomed here. The Assembly is not for sale. Members remain loyal to the party and focused on their legislative responsibilities,” he added.
He urged members of the public to disregard the speculation entirely, insisting that the PDP lawmakers are firmly behind the Adeleke-led administration and have no intention of defecting to any other party.
Meanwhile, Hon. Oluwole Oke has confirmed he invited lawmakers, including some from Osun, to attend two events in Washington D.C. and New York, which he said would be funded personally.
“It’s true I invited many lawmakers at subregional levels, Osun inclusive, to attend two events in the U.S. at my cost. It’s no big deal. I’ve done this before,” Oke wrote on his official Facebook Page.
He clarified that the invitation was not tied to any defection plan and argued that lobbying opposition members into a political party should not be criminalised.
“What binds us together is more than politics. Outside politics, we all relate as brothers and sisters. Please do not discourage any Osun House member willing to join me,” he added.
The clarification from Oke came hours after some Assembly members such as the Chief Whip of the House, Honourable Wale Akerele and other members of the House had already issued denials and restated their commitment to the PDP.
The development comes amid growing political activity in Osun state ahead of August 8 2026 Governorship Election.
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