The support base of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke appears to have been weakened ahead of the 2026 governorship election, following the exit of five federal lawmakers from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state within weeks.

They all blamed internal wrangling within the PDP for their decision to resign from the party.

The first legislator to leave the PDP was Hon. Oluwole Oke, who represents Ijesa North Federal Constituency. Oke immediately announced his defection to the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Last Saturday, two senators, Francis Fadahuhsi, representing Osun East, and Olubiyi Fadeyi from Osun Central, announced their resignations from the ruling PDP.

Oke’s colleague from Ijesa South Federal Constituency, Sanya Omirin, also followed suit.
Similarly, on Tuesday, a member of the House of Representatives representing Ife Federal Constituency in the state, Taofeek Ajilesoro, resigned from the PDP.

In a letter dated Tuesday, July 22nd, and addressed to the Chairman of the party in Ilare Ward II, Ife Central Local Government, Ajilesoro cited internal wrangling within the party as the reason for his exit.

Feelers available to The Guardian revealed that the legislators are all moving to the APC.

Sources said Ajilesoro will, in the coming days, announce his defection to the opposition party.
Ajilesoro’s letter read, “Please accept this letter as formal notification of my resignation from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), effective immediately.

“This decision, though difficult, has become necessary due to the persistent internal conflicts, deep-seated divisions, and the pervasive culture of legal disputes that have unfortunately come to characterise the party.
“These factors have made it increasingly challenging for me to reconcile my continued membership with my personal convictions and aspirations for effective governance.

“I extend my gratitude for the opportunity to have served within the party. I trust you will accept my resignation in the spirit in which it is given.”

In a photograph seen by our correspondent, some of the lawmakers were pictured with Osun APC leader and former governor of the state, Gboyega Oyetola.

Others were seen with President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa exchanging pleasantries.

Meanwhile, Governor Adeleke, who claims to remain in the PDP, has endorsed President Tinubu’s re-election bid, as key political observers cast doubts over Adeleke’s chances in the forthcoming poll.

The Osun State chapter of the PDP stated that the party remains strong and solid in the state.

In a statement on Wednesday, the chairman of the party, Sunday Bisi, declared that the people of Osun will decide and defend their votes come 2026.

Bisi said the party is focused on the people and is not seeking to import fake voters and rig the 2026 elections, as being plotted by the opposition.

The party declared that its position on the 2026 and 2027 race remains sacrosanct, even as it noted that the people of Osun have the records of performance of all parties and will make their choice.

“We won’t join issues with the opposition. We have no plan to rig the 2026 election. We are sure Osun people will vote for PDP and stand by their votes next year. Our records of good performance speak for us.

“Osun PDP remains solid. We affirm that Governor Adeleke will win Osun votes resoundingly in 2026. Through the support of the Osun PDP, President Tinubu will also win the Osun election,” the party chairman asserted.

Similarly, 25 members of the Osun State House of Assembly, who are under the ruling PDP, have debunked the insinuation that they are defecting to the APC.

Addressing journalists on Wednesday at the Assembly complex, the Speaker, Adewale Egbedun, said the party is on ground and that none of them has any intention of defecting to another party.

“We are loyal to our party, the PDP, and we remain on the ground. The defection rumour is a tactic to distract our governor,” Egbedun said.