Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, has formally emerged as the Accord Party’s governorship candidate for the 2026 election, marking a decisive shift away from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) following months of internal turmoil.
Adeleke was ratified as the party’s flagbearer on Wednesday after delegates from all 30 local government areas voted in a primary held in Osogbo. Running unopposed, he polled 145 out of 150 votes, with five ballots declared invalid.
The exercise was observed by officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and overseen by the Accord Party’s national leaders. Primary Committee Secretary Abdulazeez Salaudeen affirmed Adeleke as the party’s candidate for the August 8, 2026, governorship race.
Adeleke’s emergence comes after escalating tension within the PDP, which led to the suspension of the party’s planned primary earlier in November. Widening factional disputes created uncertainty over the PDP’s direction, prompting the governor to resign from the party on November 4 and seek a more stable platform.
He had quietly registered with the Accord Party by November 6, later revealing that his decision was made after “extensive consultations” held weeks before. He noted that Accord’s focus on social welfare aligned closely with his administration’s priorities.
With his nomination confirmed, Adeleke pledged to continue projects initiated under his administration, stressing that his defection was driven by the need for political stability and effective governance. His entry has immediately strengthened Accord’s position in the 2026 race and underscores deeper fractures within the PDP nationally.
