Governor Ademola Adeleke: The Stone That Was Rejected, By Ademola Akinbola

Congratulations to Gov. Ademola Adeleke. The APC leaders who blocked his defection to the party must be licking their wounds now, and regretting their action, if indeed they truly love their party. Minister Gboyega Oyetola and his band of rabble-rousers should clap for themselves.

Love him or loathe him, you cannot deny that dancing Gomina Adeleke enjoys organic grassroots support in Osun State. Since 2018, he has been a thorn in the flesh of Osun APC. Unfortunately, the greed and selfish tendencies of the party leaders, and their proclivity for inanities beclouded their sense of objective reasoning.

Rather than serve the overall interest of the party, Osun APC leaders railroaded their enlightened self-interest and masqueraded such as that of the party.

This is the “mourning” after. Osun APC members and supporters are where they are: shocked, disappointed, bitter, angry, frustrated, and confused. This was a “tragedy” foreseen and foretold. Despite the much-trumpeted “federal might”, I never doubted Adeleke’s ability to win the election.

Can the APC ever defeat Adeleke in Osun State? I very much doubt that. Thrice beaten, forever shy. He floored the APC in 2022, 2023 (presidential election), and now in 2026. APC leaders should acknowledge his political superiority and turn him into an asset. Gba fun oga e (acknowledge and respect whoever is better than you).

OMISORE AS A METAPHOR
It was disgusting seeing APC Governors and senior party leaders visiting Senator Iyiola Omisore on a fence-mending mission after denying him of the opportunity to contest the election. Do these folks ever learn? You suppressed a man’s legitimate ambition and still expected him to work for you.

In 2018, Omisore, then of the SDP, saved the day for the APC by mobilising support for the party during the run-off election where Adeleke was already coasting home to victory. In 2026, APC leaders went to seek his support again after treating him so shabbily? If one good turn deserves another, then one bad turn must deserve not just another, but, maybe several turns.

The results from Ife speak volume. Did Omisore betray the APC? No. Karma was simply at work. Senator Omisore might not have actively worked against the party. But, he also might not have actively worked for the party. You don’t treat a former Deputy Governor of the State and a political veteran like a piece of rag and expect him or his supporters to move mountains for you.

Would Omisore have performed better than AMBO? Maybe yes, maybe no. That remains in the realm of conjecture.

Osun APC must regroup and refocus. Would the party now actively lobby and woo Adeleke into its fold? Pride will tell, not just time!

Ademola. Author, trainer, and brand management consultant, is the Publisher of The Podium International Magazine