The Senior Special Adviser on Media to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Mallam Hezekiah Bamiji, has criticised the recent defection of two federal lawmakers from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), describing the move as a “miscalculation” driven by political assumptions and poor consultation.

Senators Francis Fadahunsi (Osun East) and Olubiyi Fadeyi (Osun Central) were among four senators formally received into the APC on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday, July 23, 2025. Their exit marks a significant shift in the political landscape of the 10th National Assembly, increasing the APC’s dominance to 70 seats in the upper chamber, while the PDP now holds just 28.

In an interview on Thursday, Bamiji stated that the senators’ decision was based on the false belief that Governor Adeleke was preparing to dump the PDP for the APC, following recent rumours and high-profile meetings.

“Maybe what I can say is a kind of miscalculation on the part of the lawmakers,” Bamiji said. “The rumour perhaps overwhelmed them. Thinking that the governor was coming [to the APC], they felt that as Abuja politicians, they should be faster than the governor.”

He added that the move appeared to be taken without due process or adequate consultation with the party leadership or the constituents the senators were elected to represent.

“The governor is the leader of the party in Osun State,” he explained. “I felt they should have consulted with their leader and perhaps also with the people in their various constituencies. But I am not sure that was done. Even if the governor was going to move, did they ask him any questions? Yes, the APC set a trap for them, and they entered.”

Bamiji further clarified that Governor Adeleke does not need to switch political parties to deliver effective governance in Osun State, affirming that Adeleke remains committed to the PDP and continues to uphold his mandate under the party’s platform.

The defection of the senators comes amid growing speculation about Governor Adeleke’s political future, especially following his controversial private visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at his Ikoyi residence in Lagos on June 3, 2025. Accompanying him on the visit were his brother, billionaire businessman Adedeji Adeleke, and their nephew, globally acclaimed Afrobeats artist David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.

The visit, which sparked rumours of a possible alliance or defection, fueled further speculation within political circles and on social media platforms. Many observers interpreted the move as a subtle signal of political realignment ahead of the 2026 and 2027 general elections.

However, in what appeared to be a strategic response to the swirling rumours, Governor Adeleke took to his official X (formerly Twitter) handle earlier this week to reaffirm his loyalty to the PDP. He made the announcement following a high-level strategic meeting with leaders and caucus members of the Osun PDP in Oshogbo.

“I’m pleased to share the resolutions: I remain in the PDP, the party that gave me the platform to serve the good people of Osun. I have been unanimously endorsed by the Osun PDP for a second term in 2026,” Adeleke stated.

In a twist that surprised many political analysts, the governor also declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid in 2027, despite being a PDP governor. Adeleke described Tinubu, a native of Osun State, as a “proud son” of the state and said his party would support his presidential ambition in the spirit of regional unity.

“Our party in Osun has also endorsed President Tinubu for re-election in 2027, recognising him as a proud son of our state,” the governor said. “PDP remains the most popular and trusted party across Osun State.”

The statement has raised eyebrows and intensified debate over whether Adeleke is subtly warming his way into the APC fold, or if he is navigating a pragmatic political strategy that balances regional interests with party loyalty.

Political observers say the coming months will reveal the full implications of these developments, particularly as the 2026 governorship race and 2027 general elections draw closer.

Meanwhile, the PDP national leadership has yet to formally react to the endorsements made by the Osun PDP in favour of President Tinubu, nor has it issued a statement regarding the senators’ defection.

For now, the political terrain in Osun and the Senate continues to evolve, with many anticipating further realignments ahead of the next election cycle.