Adeleke confirms move to Accord Party, says new platform will drive his 2026 re-election bid
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has formally declared his membership of the Accord Party, positioning the platform as the vehicle for his second-term ambition in the 2026 governorship election.
Adeleke made the disclosure on Tuesday through a post on his verified X account, ending weeks of speculation following his recent resignation from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
According to the governor, his defection was not sudden; he had secretly joined Accord over a month earlier, on November 6, after extensive consultations with political allies and community leaders.
Explaining his choice, Adeleke said the Accord Party’s ideology mirrored his administration’s priorities, particularly its emphasis on social welfare and policies aimed at improving the lives of citizens and public-sector workers.
He further noted that since aligning with the party, he had developed a strong appreciation for its philosophy and its focus on human-centered governance.
The governor also assured residents that his decision was made in the interest of continuity, arguing that the state needed stability to sustain the gains achieved under his watch.
He welcomed Accord Party leaders who had visited Osun, pledging to work with them in building a formidable political structure ahead of future elections.
Adeleke also emphasised the need for unity within the party, stressing that only a cohesive front could secure victory at the polls and maintain ongoing development projects across the state.
His public confirmation comes barely a week after he officially withdrew from the PDP, the party that brought him to national prominence as a senator and later as governor.
In his resignation letter dated December 2 and addressed to his ward chairman in Ede North, Adeleke cited persistent internal disputes within the PDP as his primary reason for leaving.
He expressed gratitude to the party for the opportunities it had given him over the years, but maintained that the instability at the national level made it difficult for him to remain.
With his defection now formalised, the political landscape in Osun State is expected to shift significantly as Accord positions itself as a major contender in the 2026 governorship race.
