The Imole Campaign Council has described Osun State Governor, Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke’s visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as customary, dismissing insinuations that the meeting was connected to plans by the governor to join the All Progressives Congress (APC).
The council said the visit followed the conclusion of the Osun State governorship election and was in line with the political tradition of off-cycle elections in Nigeria.
The position was contained in a statement issued on Thursday by the Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee of the Imole Campaign Council, Rep. Bamidele Salam.
According to Salam, Adeleke, like other governors who emerge victorious in off-cycle elections, had a responsibility to show respect and appreciation to the office of the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.
He said President Tinubu had, in various pre-election speeches and statements, charged the electoral umpire and security agencies to ensure a free and fair election in Osun State.
Salam added that the visit also provided an opportunity for the President and the governor to discuss issues relating to peace, security and the progress of Osun State following the tense election.
The council, however, dismissed reports suggesting that the governor’s visit was connected to a plan to defect from Accord to the APC.
“For the avoidance of doubt, the visit of Mr Governor and top members of his Campaign team had absolutely nothing to do with a plan to move from Accord to the All Progressives Congress as being insinuated in certain quarters,” the statement said.
Salam further stated that the issue of defection to the APC was not discussed at any point during the visit.
The Imole Campaign Council appreciated President Tinubu for granting the governor and members of his team the opportunity to visit him.
It also assured supporters of Adeleke of the governor’s continued commitment to serving the people of Osun State who supported him in the recently concluded election.
