By David Owei, Bayelsa

Governor Ademola Adeleke is not defecting to African Democratic Congress (ADC) nor aligning with anybody within the ADC ahead of the 2026 state elections, his Spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed has disclosed.

Responding to media publication and enquiries, the Spokesperson affirmed that Governor Adeleke remains in Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and is going to win, with wide margins, the 2026 governorship elections on the platform of the PDP.

The statement reads further: “Our attention has been drawn to news reports and media enquiries about the imminent defection of Governor Adeleke to the ADC or alignment with ADC big wigs ahead of the 2026 governorship race. There is no truth in those publications and speculations.

“First of all, we, the PDP Osun, have already adopted and endorsed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the 2027 presidential election, so there is no alliance with ADC.

“Secondly, Governor Adeleke has no alliance with anyone in ADC. He remains in PDP, will run in PDP, and needs no alliance with ADC to win with a wide margin in 2026.

“The Osun electorate supports Governor Adeleke because of his impressive performance since he came to office. That good work is still ongoing and Osun people are committed to sustaining the delivery of good governance by re-electing Governor Adeleke in 2026”, the Spokesperson was quoted as saying.

Governor Adeleke urges PDP members to forge ahead with the ongoing strengthening of the party structures across all levels to prepare for fresh victory next year”, the statement from the Spokesperson concluded.

By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

Former Political Adviser to former President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, Prof. Rufai’ Ahmed Alkali has congratulated the new national chairman of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda.

In a congratulatory message made available to journalists in Abuja, Prof. Alkali applauded the APC for the rancour-free transition of power that saw the emergence of the new national chairman.

According to him, “the well thought out selection and the smooth process of his appointment by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of our great party clearly shows that the APC has come of age.”

He added that some opposition political parties were taken unaware by the smooth process that saw the emergence of APC new national chairman and that is a clear indication that the ruling party is a step ahead of other political parties in the country.

Part of the statement reads: “I wish to convey my special congratulations to Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda on his well deserved appointment as the national chairman of the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC).

“His well thought out selection and the smooth process of his appointment by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of our great party clearly shows that the APC has come of age.

“From their initial reactions, it appears some members of the opposition were taken unawares.

“This is how it should be. A ruling party should always be steps ahead.

“We wish Professor Nentawe Goshwe Yilwatda success in the challenges that lie ahead.”