Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on Tuesday formally announced his defection from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the Accord Party, ending months of speculation about his political direction ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
Adeleke made the announcement at the Government House Banquet Hall in Osogbo, where he appeared alongside national and state leaders of Accord. He disclosed that he had quietly registered as a member of Accord on 6 November 2025 after “wide consultations with stakeholders” across Osun.
According to the governor, his departure from the PDP was driven by deepening leadership crises within the party at the national level, which he said had made it increasingly difficult to govern effectively under its platform.
“I cannot continue under a platform that is engulfed in unending turmoil,” Adeleke said. “Osun deserves stability, continuity and a party structure that supports governance, not distractions.”
Adeleke also declared his intention to seek a second term as governor under the Accord Party, setting the tone for what analysts predict will be a highly competitive 2026 race in a state long known for intense political rivalry.
The governor’s move marks a major realignment in Osun’s political landscape. Until now, the state had been dominated by the APC and PDP, both of which have alternated power for over two decades. Adeleke’s defection makes Accord — previously a minor player — an unexpected force ahead of the next election.
His exit from PDP comes months after he repeatedly dismissed rumours linking him to APC or any other party. PDP leaders in Osun have yet to release an official comment, but internal party sources say the governor’s departure deepens the crisis already threatening the party’s cohesion in the South-West.
