The absence of Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, at the South-West Caucus meeting of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) held in Ibadan on Friday has sparked fresh speculation over his possible defection from the party.

The meeting, hosted in the Oyo State capital, was presided over by Governor Seyi Makinde and attended by key stakeholders of the PDP across the region. Discussions centred on strategies to strengthen the party in the South-West, especially in light of the recent alignment of opposition figures under the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Party leaders at the meeting distanced the PDP from the new coalition and called for unity among its members, urging them to remain loyal to the party’s leadership in the zone.

However, the conspicuous absence of Governor Adeleke and other PDP stakeholders from Osun State raised eyebrows within party ranks, especially amid ongoing speculation that the governor may be considering a defection to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

The speculation gained momentum following Adeleke’s recent visit to President Bola Tinubu at his private residence in Ikoyi, Lagos, accompanied by his nephew and popular music artiste, David Adeleke, widely known as Davido.

Efforts to reach Governor Adeleke for comment on Friday were unsuccessful. His media aide, Bankole Saraki, also did not respond to inquiries from Peoples Gazette regarding the governor’s absence.

A source close to the governor, who requested anonymity, disclosed that Adeleke is currently weighing his political options in light of the evolving political landscape.

“Yes, the governor did not attend the meeting, but I can’t confirm if it was a deliberate move. What I do know is that he’s assessing the options before him following the emergence of the ADC as a new platform for opposition forces,” the source said.

The development has continued to stir debate within the PDP and across the political spectrum in the South-West, with analysts closely watching Adeleke’s next move.