By Erewunmi Peace

Fresh controversy has emerged in Osun State following unconfirmed reports suggesting that former Governor Gboyega Oyetola and the Osun chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) are allegedly blocking a supposed move by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to invite Governor Ademola Adeleke into the party.

However, credible sources within both the APC and the Adeleke administration have firmly denied these claims, describing them as baseless and politically motivated.

In a statement earlier this week, Hon. Timothy Owoeye, a former Speaker of the Osun House of Assembly and a prominent APC leader, declared:

“There is no vacancy in our party. APC tickets are not for sale, and Governor Adeleke is not a part of our political agenda.”

Similarly, Governor Adeleke’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, dismissed the defection rumors as fake news, noting that the Governor’s recent visit to President Tinubu was strictly a courtesy call, not a political negotiation.

“There is no invitation. There is no defection. These are manufactured narratives,” Rasheed emphasized.

The rumors began circulating online after photos of Governor Adeleke and President Tinubu surfaced on social media. Political analysts believe the visit was intended to strengthen federal-state relations, not a sign of cross-party allegiance.

So far, no official communication from the presidency has confirmed or denied any invitation extended to Adeleke to join the APC.

The Osun APC has also reiterated its non-acceptance stance on any form of political realignment involving Governor Adeleke, stressing its commitment to rebuilding the party from within.