By Michael Ofulue, Osogbo

A socio-political group, Osun Leaders of Thought (OLT), has cautioned Governor Ademola Adeleke against dumping the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) amid growing pressure to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting he can support President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 re-election bid without abandoning his party.

In a statement issued on Friday and signed by its Chief of Public Affairs, Comrade Adesola Adigun, the group described the alleged moves to lure Adeleke into the APC as “ill-advised and unnecessary,” warning that such a defection could trigger political instability in Osun State and beyond.

“We take note of mounting pressure from far and near to get Governor Ademola Adeleke to cross over to the APC. This is ill-advised and unnecessary. The Governor should remain in PDP and continue the good work he is doing for the good people of Osun State,” the group warned.

While throwing its weight behind President Tinubu’s 2027 ambition, the group described the support as a matter of regional and ancestral loyalty, given Tinubu’s Osun roots.

They argued that Adeleke’s continued presence in the PDP, rather than a switch to the APC, would serve both the state and national interests more effectively.

OLT argued that Adeleke’s defection would not only distract from governance but could also upset the fragile political equilibrium in the state, urging instead for a strategic alliance between the Governor and the Presidency that stops short of a party switch.

They listed four key reasons why such a move would be counterproductive: Adeleke’s unrivalled popularity in Osun politics; the unresolved internal crisis within the Osun APC; long-standing rivalries among political bigwigs in the state; and the growing bipartisan support Adeleke enjoys from Osun voters, even among Tinubu loyalists.

“To win Osun, Adeleke’s brand is a must for the President without dilution,” the group said pointedly, warning that forcing him into an alliance with long-time adversaries in the APC could reopen old wounds and undermine the chances of success.

Rather than a defection, OLT urged both parties to consider a strategic collaboration. “We call on Mr President and the Governor of Osun State to enter into a mutual supportive agreement. Nothing like defection should be included. We speak on behalf of many silent leaders of thought across Osun State,” the statement added.

The group maintained that Adeleke’s current political posture positions him as a unifying figure in Osun, and warned that any move to force a defection could prove to be politically costly for both him and the APC.