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Some members of the All Progressives Congress in Osun State on Friday opposed the idea of granting Governor Ademola Adeleke an automatic governorship ticket should he decide to join the party.
The party members, who wielded placards with inscriptions such as “No vacancy in APC,” “We say no to Ademola Adeleke,” and “Our party is not for sale,” staged a peaceful protest at the APC state secretariat in Osogbo, the state capital.
There have been speculations that Adeleke may be considering leaving the Peoples Democratic Party for the APC.
However, there has been no official confirmation from either the governor or the APC, although the rumour has continued to dominate political discussions in the state in recent days.
Concerned about the possibility of Adeleke being handed the APC governorship ticket if he defects, the party members, led by Taofeek Afolabi, said some aspirants had already declared interest in contesting for the ticket, and it would be unfair to sideline them.
Speaking to journalists during the protest, Afolabi said, “We are members of the All Progressives Congress, and we are here this morning to register our concern over the rumoured defection of Governor Ademola Adeleke to the APC.
“We are not saying he should not join our party. Adeleke joining the APC will certainly boost our ranks. He is the sitting governor, and having him with us will strengthen the party.
“However, what we oppose is the idea of giving Governor Adeleke an automatic ticket. If he wants to re-contest, he should show interest and contest for the gubernatorial ticket alongside other aspirants.”
Afolabi further emphasised that they are not against Adeleke’s defection to the APC.
“There are people who have already indicated interest in the race, and we believe it would be unfair to hand the ticket to Adeleke automatically.
“That is our only concern. We have no issue with him joining our party,” he added.
