The political temperature in Osun State has intensified following a scathing outburst by a prominent All Progressives Congress (APC) member, Adeshina Ayomide, who criticised President Bola Tinubu for hosting Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State, amid growing rumours of the governor ’s defection to the ruling party.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Adeshina accused Tinubu of disregarding the sacrifices of APC loyalists in Osun during previous elections.

He alleged that 35 APC members were killed by suspected thugs loyal to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the last governorship and presidential polls, adding that the wounds were still fresh among their grieving families.

“Any leader who betrays his followers for personal gain does not deserve respect.

“During the last governorship and presidential elections in Osun, 35 APC members were killed by PDP thugs. Their families are still mourning to this day,” Adeshna wrote.

BEYOND AFRICA gathered that his post was triggered after photos emerged of Governor Adeleke, his billionaire brother Chief Adedeji Adeleke, and Afrobeats star Davido visiting President Tinubu at his Lagos residence on Tuesday.

The high-profile meeting has fuelled speculations that Adeleke, a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) bigwig, may be eyeing a move to the APC, a development that appears to have unsettled some party faithful in Osun.

Despite a wave of humorous responses and pleas for calm from fellow APC members and influencers, Adeshina doubled down, stating, “Politics is about interest but at the very least, respect the dead. And if you continue on this path, you will lose our respect. Master strategist , una.”